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Lyme is not rare, the CDC estimates 476,000 cases per year in the US. https://www.cdc.gov/lyme/stats/humancases.html

Thanks, that is certainly more than I would have expected!

where I used to live in NH signs posted around trailheads said something like 30% of deer ticks were likely carrying Lyme, and that was 5 years ago.

Lyme disease is very common on the northeast coast of the United States nowadays. The disease is increasing every year due to a massive increase in deer and mice and is considered a major public health issue.

Since 14 states account for 95% of infections it might seem like a rare disease if you live outside of those 14 states.

Not rare in New England. I’ve contracted it twice since the beginning of covid. And once 23 years ago. The first time I was sick for a year even with treatment. These last two times I caught it early but still suffered for months and my body hurts with changes in the weather.

I wish I’d had the vaccine.