Not to be the conspiracy theorist... But have you ever heard of plum island? Specifically the Plum Island Animal Disease Center which developed bio weapons utilizing ticks as the disease vector? Operations started in 1952. There were several documented cases of poor containment practices and two likely means of transporting the disease back to the mainland (swimming deer and geese). The evidence is pretty damning. Check out the book Lab 257.

I also stopped enjoying my favorite hobby, running on deer trails and through dense forests. I check intently for ticks after ever forest excursion, but it is very disheartening when I find one. They are so incredibly small it seems impossible not to missed one. Plus it is extremely difficult to check your hair and back and I rarely have a running partner. All in all, Lyme disease, indian genocide, and invasion of Libya are my top 3 atrocities US gov has committed.