Trends and Characteristics of Occupational Lyme Disease In Maine, 1999-2011

Lyme disease, caused by the bite of a deer tick infected with Borrelia burdorferi, has been increasing in distribution and prevalence annually throughout Maine. Worker’s compensation claims for Lyme disease have also been increasing steadily since the initial claim made in 1999. This research reviewed Maine worker’s compensation claims for Lyme disease from 1999-2011 to determine trends in state distribution and occupation type. Descriptive statistics were calculated to analyze different distributions of occupational Lyme disease. Occupations with the highest distribution of Lyme disease claims were those requiring workers to spend the majority of their time outdoors. A clear trend of claim distribution was seen, which mirrored that of the State of Maine Lyme disease case surveillance data. With the apparent increase in worker’s compensation claims due to Lyme disease and an increased geographic distribution annually, additional prevention and education efforts should be focused toward the higher risk occupations.