Lyme disease has been around since the 1980's when Dr. Burdorfer identified the bacteria (Borrelia burgdorferi named in honor of his research) responsible for causing the disease. The reason why it is called Lyme disease has to do with the town of Lyme, Connecticut where a large number of individuals where diagnosed w/ the symptoms of the disease. One of the tell tale signs of the disease is a "Bull's Eye" rash (Erythema migrans) but it can manifest in other ways. It is a chronic disease. (1/x)
Back in the mid 80's I managed to do a tick survey in SoCal around Griffith Park area. I found the tick that had been implicated in carrying the spirochete (bacteria) that causes Lyme disease in the West. The Western Black-legged tick (Ixodes pacificus) is vector responsible for transmitting the bacteria through its bite. After collecting the ticks, they would be allowed to feed on rabbits. Blood from the rabbits would be collected and tested for immunological and antibody presence. (2/X)
One of the things that ticks do when they are in need for a meal is to climb up as high as they can on a bush near a hiking trail/path. Anything rubbing on that bush will assuredly be a transport vehicle and probably a meal for the tick. For those of us that like to take our furry companions on hikes...make sure to check them for ticks. The nymphs and mal Western Black-legged tick are smaller than females so you may not notice them until it starts engorging with blood.