Michigan Reported 1,215 Lyme Disease Cases Last Year

Since being discovered in Lyme, Connecticut, decades ago, Lyme disease has expanded west in the United States, causing significant health risks to people when outdoors.

For example, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) recently confirmed Lyme disease is now the most common tick-borne disease in Michigan, and anaplasmosis is increasing across the state.

Lyme disease cases in Michigan have increased by 168% over the last five years.

Michigan recorded 1,215 cases in 2024, as compared to 452 cases in 2020.

Anaplasmosis cases in Michigan have increased by almost fivefold over the last five years, with 82 cases reported in 2024 compared to 17 in 2020.

"Preventing tick bites is the best way to prevent tick-borne diseases, including Lyme disease and anaplasmosis," said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, MDHHS's chief medical executive, in a media release on May 21, 2025.

"If you find a tick attached to your body, promptly remove it. Monitor your health, and if you experience fever, rash, muscle or joint aches, or other symptoms, or if you suspect a tick has been attached for more than 24 hours, consult with your medical provider."

As of June 2, 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not approved a vaccine for the prevention of Lyme disease. However, an innovative vaccine candidate (VLA15) is progressing in late-stage clinical research.

VLA15 is a multivalent recombinant protein vaccine targeting Borrelia's outer surface protein A (OspA). It is designed for prophylactic, active immunization against Lyme disease. The first data readout of the Phase 3 clinical trial is expected by the end of 2025.