The Poughkeepsie Journal takes a close look at the surveys and reports the CDC used to come up with its estimate of 300,000 annual cases of Lyme disease. And it found some surprising information.

From the Poughkeepsie Journal, Sept. 15, 2013

By Mary Beth Pfeiffer

A majority of Lyme disease patients are being treated with antibiotics for longer than government-endorsed guidelines recommend, a sign doctors may be rejecting controversial protocols in favor of patients who remain ill after receiving them, new government data obtained by the Poughkeepsie Journal show.

The revelation comes from a federal study that concluded there are likely 300,000 Lyme disease cases annually, a tenfold rise from official reports and an acknowledgment of the illness’ reach across America.

But the study — consisting of three public surveys and separate analyses of insurance bills and lab tests — uncovered other startling, and undisclosed, Lyme disease trends, the Journal found. The research indicates that nearly 4 million Americans have had Lyme disease, giving details on who they are and how they fared.

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