It mimics the symptoms of multiple sclerosis, arthritis, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, and even Alzheimer’s disease, yet it’s hard to detect because its corkscrew-shaped form allows it to burrow into and hide in your tissues. Now an epidemic out of control, did it too come from the U.S. biological weapons program? Story at-a-Glance In her book,…

The spread of Lyme disease has increased dramatically over the past 15 years with the illness more than tripling in rural areas, according to the nonprofit FAIR Health’s recent analysis of health insurance claims. Lyme disease, caused by the Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria, is transmitted to humans through the bites of infected blacklegged ticks, often called “deer…

A new app could help you avoid ticks and the risk of contracting Lyme disease. “We don’t want people to be afraid. We just want them to take a few precautions so they can still enjoy being outside,” says Jean Tsao, an associate professor in the fisheries and wildlife department at Michigan State University who…

The prevalence of ticks that can carry Lyme disease is expected to be higher than ever in much of Canada this year, researchers say. Vett Lloyd, a researcher and director of the Lloyd Tick Lab at Mount Allison University in New Brunswick, says that as the impacts of climate change progress, each tick season will…

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich.—It’s a ghastly sight: ticks by tens of thousands burrowed into a moose’s broad body, sucking its lifeblood as the agonized host rubs against trees so vigorously that much of its fur wears away. Winter tick infestation is common with moose across the northern United States—usually survivable for adults but less so for…

This is the conclusion of a three-part series exploring Lyme disease: how to test for it, treat it, and prevent it.  Like any disease, Lyme disease is best avoided. While many of the most common diseases today can be held at bay with proper diet and exercise, Lyme disease requires special precautions to avoid the…

This is part two of a three-part series exploring Lyme disease: how to test for it, treat it, and prevent it.  One of the difficulties of Lyme disease is actually figuring out if you have it. Unlike many other diseases, diagnosis can be difficult. This is true of other tick-borne illnesses as well. The western…

Q: What’s the best way to remove a tick embedded in my dog Floyd’s skin? I tried covering the tick with alcohol, nail polish, and petroleum jelly, but nothing loosened its grip. I’ve heard that touching a lit match to the tick works, but I’m afraid I’ll burn Floyd. What do you recommend? A: None…