World Lyme Day

World Lyme Day History

World Lyme Day seeks to raise awareness about Lyme disease. Lyme disease is a bacterial infection transmitted by the bite of an infected tick. It comes from the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi and is spread by infected ticks usually found in the northeast, mid-Atlantic, upper Midwest, and the pacific coast. This day aims to inform and educate the public about Lyme disease. This includes learning how to prevent it and how to treat it. It is estimated that 300,000 people are diagnosed with Lyme disease in the US every year.

World Lyme Day seems to have been started in 2013 as an awareness campaign. It is observed annually on May 1st.

Top 10 Facts for World Lyme Day in 2026

• As the 2026 observance of World Lyme Day on May 1 approaches, the following facts highlight the current global landscape of the disease and the advancements in its prevention and treatment:
  
  Phase 3 clinical trial results for the VLA15 vaccine candidate, developed by Pfizer and Valneva, are anticipated in the first half of 2026, marking the most significant step toward a human Lyme disease vaccine since the withdrawal of LYMErix in 2002.
• Public health experts predict a substantial surge in tick activity across the Northern Hemisphere this year, as 2026 follows a trend of warming temperatures and shorter winters that have allowed black-legged ticks to expand into historically harsh northern regions.
• The international Light Up For Lyme campaign will see major global landmarks and public buildings illuminated in lime green to signify solidarity with the millions of individuals living with persistent symptoms.
• Lyme disease is frequently referred to by medical professionals as the great imitator because its wide-ranging symptoms often mimic those of other conditions such as fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, and chronic fatigue syndrome, frequently leading to initial misdiagnosis.
• The award-winning documentary The Quiet Epidemic continues to drive global conversations about the history of the disease and the scientific controversies surrounding the existence of chronic Lyme.
• Modern research has positioned Lyme disease as a primary climate change indicator for the Environmental Protection Agency due to the direct correlation between rising global temperatures and the geographic spread of the Borrelia burgdorferi bacterium.
• Beyond traditional vaccines, scientists are advancing a new category of preventative care known as Lyme PrEP, which uses a seasonal monoclonal antibody injection to provide immediate, short-term immunity during peak tick seasons.
• The investigative book Bitten: The Secret History of Lyme Disease and Biological Weapons by Kris Newby remains a central point of interest for those exploring the discovery of the disease and its relationship to historical bioweapons research.
• Recent economic studies estimate that the annual healthcare burden of Lyme disease in the United States alone has climbed toward $1 billion, factoring in the costs of long-term care and lost workplace productivity.
• In addition to humans, the 2026 awareness efforts emphasize the growing risk to domestic animals, as the American Lyme Disease Foundation reports that tick-borne illnesses are increasingly affecting pets in suburban areas previously considered low-risk.

In the News and Trending for World Lyme Day

Top things to do for World Lyme Day

• Learn about lyme disease prevention if you go into woody or grassy areas. Some tips include:
  1) wearing long pants and sleeves
  2) using insect repellent or bug spray
  3) clearing out tick-prone areas such as brush, wood piles and tall grass.
• Practice removing a tick. You'll need tweezers and some gum or playdoh. Roll up the gum or playdoh into small little cylinders and stick one end down to the table. Practice removing it gently from the base with your tweezers.
• Take your pet to the vet for a check up. Pets are often very susceptible to lyme disease since the ticks can attach and live in a pet's fur unnoticed for a long time. Vets sell preventative pills that can help remove ticks from your pet. Do some research and see if they're right for you.
• Watch a documentary about lyme disease to learn more about it. Some of our favorites include Under Our Skin, Lyme-Light and Touched By Lyme.