Lyme disease is primarily transmitted by which vector?

• A. Mosquitoes
• B. Ticks
• C. Fleas
• D. Lice

Answer: (B)

Lyme disease is transmitted to humans by a blood-feeding tick, not by mosquitoes, fleas, or lice. The bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi live in reservoir animals and are picked up by a tick during an early life stage. When an infected tick later bites a person, the bacteria are transmitted with the blood meal, usually only after the tick has been attached for about a day or more. This makes ticks the responsible vector, with small nymphs often driving human cases because they’re hard to notice and active in peak seasons. Preventing tick bites and removing ticks promptly are key ways to reduce risk.