Lyme disease is the most common vector-borne disease in the US; and climate change is helping it to spread even more. Animals such as deer, mice, squirrels, other critters in wooded area can be hosts to the bacteria, Borrelia burgdorferi, that causes Lyme disease in humans. When ticks feed off these hosts, the ticks become infected with it. And the bacteria can then be transmitted to humans via tick bites. There are numerous ways to prevent tick bites, but the best protection is vigilance. Whether you’re going hiking, camping, or just a stroll in the woods, check for ticks that may have become attached. The sooner the tick is removed, the lesser your chances of being infected with Lyme disease.

[Vox]