Lyme Disease map courtesy of the CDC

Lyme Disease is a vector disease that is carried by tick species in the United States and Canada. While not all ticks carry Lyme Disease, they may carry other harmful tick-borne illnesses such as Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and even red meat allergies. The top U.S. states with confirmed Lyme Disease cases are heavily wooded areas with large white-tailed deer populations (the number one carriers of ticks in the United States). 

Here is the list of the top states with confirmed Lyme Disease cases: 

• Connecticut (where "Lyme" began)
• Delaware
• District of Columbia (New to the list)
• Maine
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Minnesota
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New York
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• Vermont
• Virginia
• West Virginia
• Wisconsin

As you can see, the New England Area is on high alert for tick diseases and should use caution when outdoors on hiking trails, gardens and dog parks.