Ticks are emerging earlier than usual this year in New York, putting more people at risk of contracting Lyme disease, a bacterial infection spread by infected black-legged ticks. According to US health officials, an estimated 476,000 Americans could be diagnosed with Lyme disease this year, with symptoms ranging from fever and chills to fatigue and joint aches.
While a vaccine for Lyme disease is not currently available, two scientific initiatives are showing promising results in the fight against this condition. Lyme disease is caused by bacteria known as Borrelia burgdorferi and Borrelia mayonii, primarily spread through black-legged ticks in certain regions of the US.
Not all ticks carry Lyme disease, with their prevalence varying depending on location. Johns Hopkins Medicine highlights the importance of understanding tick habitats and the risks associated with them. Memphis-based company US Biologic is taking a unique approach to combat the epidemic by vaccinating mice with food pellets, showing early success in reducing the infected population.
US Biologic was granted a conditional license by the USDA in May 2023 to distribute these food pellets through pest control companies, marking a significant step in their efforts to tackle Lyme disease. CEO Mason Kauffman emphasized the urgency of finding new solutions to address the rising cases, particularly in young children who are most vulnerable to long-term effects.
Meanwhile, pharmaceutical giant Pfizer and French biotech company Valneva are in Phase 3 trials for a vaccine candidate called VLA15, which has shown a strong immune response in pre-clinical and clinical studies. Researchers at MIT and the University of Helsinki also discovered a protein in human sweat that inhibits the growth of the bacterium causing Lyme disease, potentially offering a preventative measure for a third of the population.
With Lyme disease cases on the rise nationally, from 3.74 reported cases per 100,000 people in 1991 to 7.21 reported cases per 100,000 people in 2018, there is a growing need for innovative solutions to combat this debilitating illness. The ongoing efforts from various scientific initiatives provide hope for reducing the impact of Lyme disease and enhancing preventive measures for vulnerable populations.