- A rare and potentially more dangerous bacterium, Borrelia mayonii, known to cause Lyme disease , has been detected for the first time in ticks within New York State.
- The bacterium was identified after a Herkimer County resident became ill in late June 2025 with a locally acquired infection, marking the first documented human case in New York and indicating the pathogen's local spread.
- Following the patient 's recovery after antibiotic treatment, subsequent investigations confirmed the presence of ticks carrying Borrelia mayonii in his neighborhood and on his property.
- Researchers indicate that Borrelia mayonii can lead to more severe cases of Lyme disease requiring hospitalization, with rashes potentially more widespread compared to the typical 'bull's-eye' rash caused by Borrelia burgdorferi.
- Health authorities conducted tick surveillance across 24 New York counties, finding Borrelia mayonii exclusively in the Herkimer County location, and emphasized the critical need for continued surveillance to understand the public health significance of emerging tick-borne pathogens.
IN FULL
Rare and potentially more serious Lyme disease bacteria found in New York ticks
