The Wall Street Journal (6/22) reported that disparities between documented Lyme disease cases and the actual prevalence are high, according to the CDC, which says that the 30,000 cases recorded annually are a fraction of the probable 300,000 cases per year. Lyme disease, as the “most common vector-borne disease by far,” remains “underreported,” according to CDC epidemiologist Dr. Kiersten Kugeler. She added, “All reportable diseases are subject to underreporting, although we know this is particularly true for common diseases and for those  often treated in an outpatient setting.”

Jonathan S. Halpert MD FACEP
Chair, Government Affairs 
North East Regional Urgent Care Association 
www.neruca.org