In 1975, Lyme Disease was identified and named at Yale University. The spirochete that causes Lyme disease was named after Dr. Burgdorfer ‘Borelia burgdorferi’ and since his seminal 1982 paper on its discovery more than 6,000 studies on clinical, epidemiological, and bacterial aspects of this disease have  been published to date.

Lyme disease is a problem of increasing national and international concern that merits continual and improved surveillance. Clinical studies to further define complications of the disease and to evaluate treatment regimens are needed. Public health education can help alert people to the symptoms of Lyme disease and to the importance of avoiding tick bites. The development of other effective primary preventive measures, particularly vector control, is essential.