Borrelia burgdorferi transmitted by the bite of a deer tick . Most cases occur in the Northeast, upper Midwest, and the Pacific Coast. Mice and deer are the most commonly infected animals that serve as host to the tick .
Most infections occur in the summer.
The disease is difficult to diagnose, because the symptoms mimic other diseases. A few months after the bite, muscle paralysis , joint inflammation , neurological symptoms and sometimes heart symptoms may occur. The initial infection is called primary Lyme disease . Secondary Lyme disease and tertiary Lyme disease may develop. Ticks will show up on white or light colors better than dark colors, making them easier to remove from your clothing.