Knox County health commissioner warns Mount Vernon council of rising Lyme disease cases

Knox County’s health commissioner briefed council during public comments about a notable rise in confirmed Lyme disease cases and urged residents and clinicians to watch for symptoms and test early. The commissioner said the county recorded 92 confirmed Lyme cases in the April–June quarter and had 101 year‑to‑date by June, up from 65 at the same point in 2024. The county has seen a further rise in July cases and cautioned that many infections occur without the person noticing a bite because the ticks can be extremely small. Public health advice given at the meeting included being aware of flu‑like symptoms (fever, body aches, headaches and fatigue), using protective clothing and repellents, checking for ticks after outdoor activities and prompting clinicians to order Lyme titers when symptoms persist and initial testing is negative. The commissioner also noted a recent local West Nile detection via mosquito trapping and outlined ongoing mosquito surveillance and targeted spraying where traps show problematic areas. Ending: The health commissioner urged continued provider awareness, public education and routine surveillance; councilmembers and staff were referred to the health department’s materials and outreach programs.