Lyme disease is carried by ticks in Iowa and is transmitted to people when a tick latches on and bites.

In 2016, Iowa had 232 cases of Lyme disease reported to the Iowa Department of Public Health, most of which happened in the eastern half of the state. Washington County Public Health nurse Lynn Fisher advises people can avoid tick bites by wearing long sleeves and pants, and by staying in the center of trails, avoiding long grassy areas. Repellents with 20% or more DEET or picaridin are recommended by the Iowa Department of Public Health, along with permethrin products on clothing. A sign that you may have Lyme disease is a bullseye-shaped rash where the tick bite occurred.