Lyme Disease: NJ had its worst year since 2000

Susanne Cervenka | Asbury Park Press

Show Caption Hide Caption Know the symptoms of Lyme disease New Jersey is one of the states where Lyme disease is most prevalent. Know the common symptoms if you're infected. By Susanne Cervenka

New Jersey had the highest number of reported cases of Lyme disease in 2017 in nearly two decades.

The 5,092 cases of Lyme disease reported last year was the highest total since 2000, topping 2009, the previous worst year, by nearly 80 cases.

More: A golden opportunity for change on chronic Lyme disease

But some counties see significantly more cases of Lyme disease than others. Concerned you might have Lyme disease? Check out the video at the top of the page for more on symptoms.

Here's a look at Lyme disease cases across the state since 2000, according to U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and New Jersey Department of Health data.

21. Cape May County, 506

2017 cases: 22

22 2016 cases: 19

19 2015 cases: 27

27 Worst year: 2004 when 46 cases were reported

20. Hudson County, 523

2017 cases: 72

72 2016 cases: 50

50 2015 cases: 54

54 Worst year: Last year

19. Salem County, 659

2017 cases: 45

45 2016 cases: 32

32 2015 cases: 37

37 Worst year: 2011 when 65 cases were reported

More: Colts Neck mom fights for her daughter with Lyme disease

18. Camden County, 1,006

2017 cases: 159

159 2016 cases: 123

123 2015 cases: 138

138 Worst year: Last year

17. Union County, 1,108

2017 cases: 110

110 2016 cases: 95

95 2015 cases: 107

107 Worst year: Last year

16. Cumberland County, 1,491

2017 cases: 99

99 2016 cases: 98

98 2015 cases: 86

86 Worst year: 2009 when 195 cases were reported

More: Lyme disease update: new controversy, tick prevention tips, NJ danger spots

15. Gloucester County, 1,924

2017 cases: 124

124 2016 cases: 119

119 2015 cases: 128

128 Worst year: 2005 when 200 cases were reported

14. Atlantic County, 1,951

2017 cases: 66

66 2016 cases: 93

93 2015 cases: 114

114 Worst year: 2007 when 160 cases were reported

13. Essex County, 2,139

2017 cases: 207

207 2016 cases: 158

158 2015 cases: 165

165 Worst year: 2009 when 209 cases were reported

More: Big news for chronic Lyme disease sufferers

12. Passaic County, 2,346

2017 cases: 165

165 2016 cases: 204

204 2015 cases: 244

244 Worst year: 2009 when 253 cases were reported

11. Middlesex County, 2,734

2017 cases: 321

321 2016 cases: 303

303 2015 cases: 288

288 Worst year: Last year

10. Mercer County, 2,928

2017 cases: 222

222 2016 cases: 262

262 2015 cases: 249

249 Worst year: 2016 when 262 cases were reported

More: CDC apologizes for hiding ticks on a poppyseed muffin to warn of Lyme disease threat

9. Bergen County, 3,252

2017 cases: 303

303 2016 cases: 279

279 2015 cases: 275

275 Worst year: Last year

8. Somerset County, 3,295

2017 cases: 280

280 2016 cases: 216

216 2015 cases: 258

258 Worst year: Last year

7. Burlington County, 3,308

2017 cases: 227

227 2016 cases: 280

280 2015 cases: 258

258 Worst year: 2009 when 406 cases were reported

More: Lyme disease explained: Symptoms, ticks, treatments and the states where cases occur

6. Ocean County, 3,564

2017 cases: 302

302 2016 cases: 274

274 2015 cases: 290

290 Worst year: Last year

5. Warren County, 3,952

2017 cases: 393

393 2016 cases: 243

243 2015 cases: 269

269 Worst year: Last year

4. Sussex County, 5,450

2017 cases: 331

331 2016 cases: 260

260 2015 cases: 309

309 Worst year: 2011 when 442 cases were reported

More: Tick, mosquito, flea illnesses have tripled and the U.S. isn't fully prepared, CDC says

3. Monmouth County, 5,894

2017 cases: 550

550 2016 cases: 492

492 2015 cases: 530

530 Worst year: Last year

2. Hunterdon County, 6,283

2017 cases: 444

444 2016 cases: 210

210 2015 cases: 456

456 Worst year: 2000 when 538 cases were reported

1. Morris County, 8,329 cases

2017 cases: 650

650 2016 cases: 539

539 2015 cases: 572

572 Worst year: Last year

Susanne Cervenka: @scervenka; 732-643-4229; scervenka@gannettnj.com