AUGUSTA – Maine is on track to post another record for the number of tick-borne illness cases, including Lyme disease, according to the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

“It’s highly likely that we’re going to break at least some of those records,” said Megan Porter of the Maine CDC. “That seems to be a trend for the last few years. Every single year we seem to be pushing those numbers just a little bit higher.”

Maine CDC data shows 2,900 reported Lyme disease cases to date this year. That’s nearly as high as the 2,943 cases reported in all of 2023. The data also shows 3,218 cases reported in 2024.

The Maine CDC data shows similar trends with other tick-borne illnesses such as Anaplasmosis and Babesiosis.

“When we look at the month-over-month comparisons between 2024 and 2025 we are trending higher each month in 2025,” Porter said.

Cases of Lyme disease are occurring in higher numbers further up the Maine coast into the Midcoast and Downeast areas, Porter said.

Megan Porter, an educator with the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, says Lyme disease case counts are on the verge of beating figures recorded last year, continuing an upward trend in recent years. (Spectrum News/Sean Murphy)
Megan Porter, an educator with the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, says Lyme disease case counts are on the verge of beating figures recorded last year, continuing an upward trend in recent years. (Spectrum News/Sean Murphy)

“That tells us that ticks are spreading, and the numbers are increasing,” she said.

Climate change has been a factor in new cases.

“It is complicated, but absolutely the fact that we’re having winters that are slightly warmer," Porter said.

Warmer temperatures mean ticks have a longer period in which they are active, she said, noting, “They can be active anytime the temperature is above freezing.”

Porter said Maine CDC’s advice remains the same: Wear protective clothing whenever possible, including long pants and long sleeves, and be sure to use an EPA-approved insect repellant.

“If you can reduce the chance that a tick can attach to the skin, you’re going to be ahead of the game to begin with,” she said. “Every time you go outside, whether it’s winter, summer, spring or fall, make sure that you are taking steps to prevent tick bites.”

Pet owners, Porter said, should talk to their veterinarians about tick control products, and use them. It’s also a good idea, she said, for people to check themselves and their pets when coming inside, just to be safe.