The Inquiry Why are more people getting Lyme disease?
Sep 30, 2025
The rise of Lyme disease is linked to climate change, wildlife migration, and increased outdoor activities. Experts discuss early symptoms, diagnostic challenges, and the need for better medical education. Innovative tests and vaccines are on the horizon, including a new urine-based detection method. With notable cases capturing public attention, there's a growing awareness about this bacterial infection. The need for accurate diagnostics and improved treatments is more pressing than ever as global cases continue to climb.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Celebrity Announcements Boost Cases Seen
- Celebrity disclosures spike public interest and lab test submissions for Lyme disease.
- Dr Sally Mavin says samples and Google searches surge after celebrities announce diagnoses.
Origins Linked To Old Lyme Cluster
- Lyme disease was first recognised in the 1970s after unusual arthritis clusters in Old Lyme, Connecticut.
- The bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi was identified in 1981 and linked to ticks.
Reported Cases Underestimate True Burden
- Official reports vastly undercount true Lyme incidence compared with modelled estimates.
- The CDC estimates ~476,000 US diagnoses and treatments per year versus ~89,000 reported cases in 2023.