A Lyme Disease Vaccine Could Soon Be Available — Here's How to Prevent the Disease Until It's Ready
A Lyme disease vaccine developed by Pfizer and Valneva shows promise in Phase 3 trials, demonstrating about 73 percent effectiveness. Lyme disease, caused by the Borrelia burgdorferi bacterium, is contracted through bites from infected black-legged ticks and is becoming more prevalent. Until the vaccine is available, preventive measures include wearing protective clothing, using tick repellents, and performing regular tick checks after outdoor activities.
- ▪Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi and is contracted from black-legged ticks.
- ▪Around 476,000 people contract Lyme disease annually in the U.S., with cases increasing due to environmental factors.
- ▪The new vaccine targets six strains of B. burgdorferi and aims to prevent transmission from ticks to humans.
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Lyme disease is a serious condition caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi. It’s contracted from the bite of black-legged ticks, known as deer ticks, that carry the bacteria, according to the Mayo Clinic. The illness, which can lead to serious nerve issues, joint pain, and cardiovascular concerns, occurs in almost every state in the U.S., though it’s most common in the Northeast and Midwest. Vermont, Maine, and Rhode Island have the most cases in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).The number of people who contract the condition is around 476,000 per year, and that number is growing due to a changing climate, a growing deer population, and humans moving into natural habitats where they’re more likely to be exposed to the bacteria, per Johns…
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