Evolution of a focus of Lyme disease

Epidemiological investigations were initiated in 1984 when significant Lyme disease activity was observed within a 5-km radius of an area previously used as a non-endemic control site for Lyme disease research in New Jersey. Through 1983, collections of Ixodes dammini from vegetation and feral rodents were infrequent and no human cases were identified within a 16-km radius of the control site. In 1984, 4 human cases and 3 serologically reactive canines (greater than or equal to 1:512) were recognized within the area and adult I. dammini populations were over 3-fold greater than those at our primary study location where Lyme disease has been endemic since 1981. Using darkfield microscopy, 53.4% of adult I. dammini were infected with Borrelia burgdorferi as compared to 50.0% of adults collected during the same period at the known endemic study site. These data indicate that a focus of Lyme disease has recently become established at the previously non-endemic control site and that the establishment of new foci may occur more rapidly than once thought.