Tick-borne illness in Rhode Island - how big a problem is it?

Rhode Island is a state with a high incidence of tick-borne diseases, specifically Lyme disease. The Ioxedes tick which serves as vector for the three most common tick infections is endemic in both the New England and mid-Atlantic regions. However, differences in the density of infections exist within Rhode Island (RI), with the highest densities in the southern counties. Tick-borne diseases can have varying presentations, as well as varied response to appropriate treatment leading to many questions and confusion for patients, clinicians, and the public itself.