PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • August 11, 2025
In Maine we face a creeping, quiet natural disaster: the ongoing epidemic of Lyme disease and associated tick-borne illnesses. In 2024, Maine reported its highest number of Lyme cases to date, and the trend shows no sign of slowing in 2025. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 476,000 Americans are diagnosed and treated for Lyme disease annually. Yet, calls for comprehensive prevention and education too often go unanswered or receive only half-hearted attention. We must invest in prevention, infrastructure, robust scientific research and public awareness. We must ensure that every Mainer knows how to protect themselves and their family from Lyme and associated diseases — and that our public health system is ready to respond with urgency and compassion. ~ Barb and Bob Maurais