I’d be extremely interested in the results of this type of study in a location such as Mississippi. After contracting Lyme, babesia is, and ehrlichiosis, I have been given an extremely hard time by doctors, claiming that these diseases don’t exist here. Many others face the same type of treatment. One day living a healthy life, the next contracting a debilitating illness that they can’t even get a doctor to recognize. Luckily there’s plenty of info on the web, where people can turn to find answers for themselves. I know 20+ people with Lyme in a small MS town. This disease is  a serious problem, and the even larger problem is lack of recognition, lack of treatment options, no insurance coverage for treatment, and being left to deal for yourself, while being labeled a hypochondriac by every doctor you describe your symptoms to. It’s time the truth is known. Lyme and it’s co-infections are everywhere!