John Messina says he never showed any immediate warning signs after being bitten by a tick in 2015. He says he also tested negative for Lyme Disease, but that all changed a year and a half later.
During time, Messina says he battled debilitating joint pain, fatigue, memory loss and more. He then tested positive for Lyme in late 2016.
“It’s been crazy. I can’t believe that a little bug could do this to me,” said Messina.
The CDC says tick-borne illnesses continue to be an increasing public health risk to Americans, especially New Yorkers.
From 2004-2016, more than 69,000 cases of tick-borne illnesses were reported in New York. Only Pennsylvania recorded more cases during that time frame.
The NYS Department of Health says tick season is now active, but says it can’t predict if 2019 tick season yet, as weather can factor in to how active ticks are.
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