Lyme Disease in Tennessee: Doctors Urged to Be Vigilant
Lyme disease in Tennessee is emerging as infected deer ticks expand into the region—prompting experts to urge greater clinical awareness.
Studies have documented the geographic expansion of Lyme disease into the southeastern United States, including Tennessee.
Lantos and colleagues reported that human Lyme disease cases have extended south along the Appalachian foothills into nearby Virginia, with infected ticks identified in the Tennessee Valley.
Evidence of Infected Deer Ticks in Tennessee
In 2017, Hickling and colleagues from the University of Tennessee surveyed tick populations across the Tennessee Valley.
Researchers collected 479 Ixodes scapularis (blacklegged) ticks from 26 counties.
Approximately 9.6% of ticks were infected with Borrelia species.
Infected ticks were identified in four counties—Anderson, Claiborne, Hamilton, and Union—with some sites in Union County showing infection rates as high as 44% and 78%.
Why Lyme Disease May Be Expanding South
The authors suggest that “immigrant ticks from the North” may be contributing to the spread of infected tick populations into the Tennessee Valley.
Some of these ticks demonstrate host-seeking behavior that increases the likelihood of human exposure.
Seasonal activity patterns may also contribute to underrecognition, as nymphal ticks can remain hidden beneath leaf litter during peak activity periods.
Clinical Implications
Lyme disease has historically been considered less common in the Southeast, which may lead to underdiagnosis.
However, emerging data suggest that clinicians in Tennessee and surrounding regions should maintain a higher index of suspicion when evaluating patients with compatible symptoms.
Failure to recognize Lyme disease in emerging regions may delay diagnosis and treatment.
Clinical Takeaway
Lyme disease in Tennessee is increasing as infected deer ticks expand their range. Clinicians should remain vigilant when evaluating patients with possible tick exposure.
Dr. Daniel Cameron, MD, MPH
Lyme disease clinician with over 30 years of experience and past president of ILADS.
Symptoms • Testing • Coinfections • Recovery • Pediatric • Prevention
Thank you Doctor Cameron. I have used your article to warn people I care about who live there!!
I was born with it and was treated at a young age with antibiotics until remission. I am now in my early 20s and it seems that it is flaring up again. i get severe joint stiffness and pain along with neck, back, and jaw pain and stiffness. still have some light sensitivity. I need a doctor who can actually help me manage this in nashville. I have good days, but there are days that im just not functional and its miserable. If anyone on here can refer me it would be awesome. Im on day 5 of severe jaw pain and stiffness along with joint issues. if a doctor in tn could help please email me at: jt********@***il.com
I advise my patients to check Global Lyme Alliance, Lyme Disease Association, or ILADS for names. You could also call my office in New York at 914 666 4665 if you have any questions.
I’ve been having issues getting help with the symptoms I’ve been having since 2001. I woke up one side of my face was paralyzed, my eye side was blurry on that side, I have been having lesions pop up on my arms unexplained and takes forever to heal. Headaches, fatigue, mild evident of arthritis but severe pain with it. I have a lot of symptoms that could possibly lead back to limes but I think they have been misdiagnosed for years. Have been told just this morning that (“THERE IS NO WAY IT CAN BE LIMES, WE DO NOT HAVE IT IN WEST TENNESSEE “)
PLEASE, can someone please help with this or give me some advice as to where to find out.
There are not that many cases reported to the CDC per the CDC website at https://www.cdc.gov/lyme/stats/tables.html
The CDC depends on doctors completing a report form. They might not report a case if “there is no Lyme disease in Tennessee”