Bitten

More about the book

This true story explores the mystery of Lyme disease and the man behind its discovery, Willy Burgdorfer. It reveals his secret involvement in developing bug-borne biological weapons and raises alarming questions about the origins of the tick-borne disease epidemic affecting millions of Americans. Kris Newby, bitten by a tick while on vacation, faced a life-altering illness that took ten doctors to diagnose, ultimately becoming one of the 300,000 Americans diagnosed with Lyme disease each year. As a science writer, Newby sought to understand the widespread misconceptions surrounding this illness and the mistreatment of its patients. Her investigation led her to Burgdorfer, who claimed that the Lyme epidemic stemmed from a military experiment gone awry. In this meticulously crafted narrative, Newby delves into claims involving biological weapons facilities and interviews with biosecurity experts and microbiologists conducting cutting-edge research. She uncovers unsettling truths about Burgdorfer and poses difficult questions about the challenges of diagnosing and treating Lyme disease, as well as the government's reluctance to recognize chronic Lyme as a legitimate condition. This gripping account sheds new light on an epidemic that continues to take a significant toll on society, challenging established beliefs about the disease.