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State guide · MassachusettsLyme disease in Massachusetts
How common Lyme disease is in Massachusetts, which ticks spread it, when to be careful, and where to turn for care.
Case numbers come from CDC’s 2023 annual notifiable disease tables, the most recent year CDC has published. Rates use U.S. Census 2023 population estimates. Reported cases undercount real infections. How to read these numbers.
How common is Lyme disease in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts is one of the 16 jurisdictions CDC classifies as high-incidence for Lyme disease. In 2023 it reported 9,715 cases, about 139 for every 100,000 residents, 5.2 times the national rate. Since 2022, high-incidence jurisdictions can report cases based on lab results alone.
Massachusetts compared with neighboring states (2023)
| State | Reported cases | Per 100,000 |
|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island | 2,852 | 260.2 |
| Vermont | 1,445 | 223.3 |
| Massachusetts | 9,715 | 138.8 |
| New York | 22,173 | 113.3 |
| New Hampshire | 1,573 | 112.2 |
| Connecticut | 3,239 | 89.5 |
Which ticks spread Lyme in Massachusetts?
The blacklegged tick, often called the deer tick, is the tick that spreads Lyme disease in Massachusetts. It is widely established across the eastern United States, according to CDC. The same tick can also spread anaplasmosis, babesiosis and Powassan virus. The lone star tick and the American dog tick live here too, but CDC says they do not spread Lyme.
When to be most careful
Risk is highest from late spring through summer, when young ticks called nymphs are active. Nymphs are about the size of a poppy seed and easy to miss. Adult blacklegged ticks are active in the fall and can bite on warm winter days, so tick checks matter year-round.
How to protect yourself
- Use an EPA-registered insect repellent (such as DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus, PMD or 2-undecanone).
- Treat clothing and gear with permethrin.
- Check your body, children and pets for ticks after being outdoors.
- Shower soon after coming inside, and tumble dry clothes on high heat for 10 minutes to kill ticks.
Found an attached tick? Remove it right away. Here’s what to do after a tick bite, and the symptoms to watch for over the next few weeks.
Where to get care in Massachusetts
Start with your primary care provider, an urgent care clinic or a telehealth visit, especially if you have a rash or fever after a tick bite. Tell them about any tick bite and where you have traveled. For complicated or lingering symptoms, ask about a referral to an infectious disease specialist. We are building a care finder with clinics that treat tick-borne illness; until then, here’s how Lyme testing works.
Official resources
- Massachusetts Department of Public Health: Lyme disease occurs throughout Massachusetts.
- CDC: Lyme disease
We are collecting real experiences about Lyme disease in Massachusetts from people who have lived it, shared with their permission. As stories come in, they will appear here, clearly marked as personal experience rather than medical advice.
Frequently asked questions
Is Lyme disease common in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts reported 9,715 cases in 2023, about 138.8 per 100,000 residents (highest reported on our map). Reported cases undercount real infections, so take precautions in tick habitat either way.
What tick carries Lyme disease in Massachusetts?
The blacklegged tick, often called the deer tick. The lone star tick and American dog tick do not spread Lyme.
Can I get Lyme disease in Massachusetts if reported cases are low?
Low reported numbers do not mean zero risk. Some infections are never reported, and cases are counted where people live, not where they were bitten. If you have symptoms after a tick bite or travel, see a healthcare provider.