Lyme Disease - It Is Ticking Now The reported number of Lyme disease cases in the U.S. has increased by over 4,000% since 1982 and often goes undiagnosed. Transmitted by deer ticks, Lyme disease is usually characterized by a "bull's-eye" rash and flu-like symptoms but can progress into facial palsy, carditis, meningitis, and arthritis. Antibiotics prove effective in 90% of early-stage Lyme disease but prevention works best: find and remove ticks early and wear protective clothing and repellant when entering the woods in endemic regions.