Rising awareness of Lyme disease in state after Justin Timberlake’s revelation
Aug. 2, 2025 – Pop superstar and Memphis native Justin Timberlake recently revealed he has been battling Lyme disease, a tick-borne illness that often goes underdiagnosed and misunderstood—especially in Southern states like Mississippi. His announcement has sparked a wave of public interest and concern about the presence of Lyme disease in areas not typically associated with the condition.
In a social media post last week, Timberlake shared that he began experiencing fatigue, joint pain, and brain fog last year before finally receiving a diagnosis. “I thought it was stress or burnout,” Timberlake wrote. “But it turns out I’ve been fighting Lyme disease for months without knowing it.”
While Lyme disease is most commonly associated with the Northeast and Upper Midwest, public health officials in Mississippi say cases have been quietly rising here as well.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Mississippi reported 18 confirmed or probable cases of Lyme disease in 2024—up from just 7 a decade earlier. But experts caution the real number may be much higher due to underreporting and misdiagnosis.
One area voice rising to prominence is Cortney McCord, a registered nurse from northeast Mississippi.
In 2021, Cortney discovered a deer tick attached to her leg. Despite developing a clear erythema migrans rash (often called a “bull’s‑eye” rash), her primary care doctor initially dismissed the idea of Lyme—saying “we don’t have Lyme in Mississippi.” When her condition worsened, she sought a Lyme-literate doctor two hours away.
Multiple positive Western Blot bands confirmed Lyme infection, along with several co-infections including Bartonella and Babesia. She also later developed alpha-gal syndrome, a tick-related red‑meat allergy.
Cortney became her own advocate—traveling long distances for care—and went public to raise awareness of how severely Lyme and co-infections can impact people in the South.
The primary carrier of Lyme in the United States is the blacklegged tick, also known as the deer tick. In Mississippi, a closely related tick—Ixodes scapularis—has been documented, particularly in wooded and rural areas of North Mississippi, including DeSoto, Marshall, and Lafayette counties.
Preventative measures remain key, especially during peak tick season in the spring and summer. Health officials recommend wearing long sleeves and pants when outdoors, using EPA-approved tick repellents, and thoroughly checking for ticks after hikes or time in wooded areas.
As Timberlake continues his recovery, health professionals hope his story will shine a light on a disease that doesn’t always follow regional expectations—and that more Mississippians will take steps to protect themselves before the bite.
If you’ve been bitten by a tick and experience flu-like symptoms, rash, or fatigue, the Mississippi State Department of Health urges you to speak with a medical provider and ask about Lyme disease testing.
