Alexis Ohanian has Lyme disease — everything you need to know about the serious illness
nypost.comrevealed on X this week that he has been diagnosed with Lyme disease. Ohanian said his diagnosis came after “a full battery of health scans.” The father of two, 41, who has no symptoms, was surprised at the news since he spends “so little time in the wilderness and Northeast.”Here’s everything you need to know about Lyme disease.Lyme disease is a bacterial infection caused by a bite from an infected black-legged tick.The condition is most prevalent in the upper midwestern, northeastern and mid-Atlantic states.
A 2022 report found that Rhode Island, Vermont and Maine had the highest incidence rates for Lyme disease, with New York placing sixth among US states.According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the number of Lyme disease cases have been steadily increasing for decades, from 3.74 reported cases per 100,000 people in 1991 to 7.21 reported cases per 100,000 people in 2018.Estimates suggest that some 476,000 Americans may be diagnosed with Lyme disease each year.
Typically, the parasites are more active from April to September, but due to mild winter temperatures, ticks are emerging earlier this year.
That means ticks will be active longer, increasing the risk of infection.The New York State Department of Health notes that ticks can be active when outdoor temperatures reach 40 degrees Fahrenheit.“As the weather gets warmer, New Yorkers are naturally spending more and more time outside.
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