Is lyme disease prevalent in the us?

YES: No one knows for sure how many people in the US have lyme disease; one estimate I have seen is 115,000 but the number is likely much higher.The CDC says there are about 27,000 new cases a year but estimates only 1 in 10 are reported, so the CDC estimate is 270,000 new cases per year. Some Lyme experts feel only 1 in 25 cases are reported, which would mean nearly 700,000 new cases a year. See comment.

Yes: The term lyme refers to a city in connecticut where the disease is prevalent. In fact the disease is widespread in the northeast and mid atlantic regions but also on the pacific coast.