Lyme disease- in purview of "one health"

Zoonotic diseases are those that are caused by pathogens naturally transmissible between humans and wild or domestic animals. Amidst rise of synanthropic ecosystems, rising urbanization, trade, travel and habitat fragmentation, there has been increase in the spillover of pathogens from the sylvatic cycle to domestic cycle leading to rise in zoonotic diseases. Wildlife plays an important role in disease dynamics, acting as host, reservoir as well as vector to a large number of diseases. Lyme disease is one such zoonotic disease that has its root in wildlife. Lyme disease is caused by the spirochete bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi and Ixodes sp. ticks serve as vector to the bacteria. Presence of Lyme disease spirochete has been reported in a large variety of species like deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus), wood mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus), birds such as Parus major, Carduelis chloris and many others. Army personnel have been found evidently to be affected with the disease mainly due to their working environment. However, due to lack of reporting in other working groups and effective collaboration between veterinarians, medical practitioners, biologists and other stakeholders, the control and prevention of Lyme disease has not been properly designed. One health strategy is imperative to manage zoonotic diseases and thus needs to be implemented to fulfill the existing lacunae in knowledge about dynamics of Lyme disease.