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Lyme disease unlikely in Memphis, but be aware of other tick-borne illnesses

By , Daily Memphian Updated: August 04, 2025 8:06 PM CT | Published: August 01, 2025 8:06 PM CT

Lyme disease is trending after Memphis native Justin Timberlake recently announced the bacterial infection, which he described as “relentlessly debilitating, both mentally and physically.”

The 44-year-old pop superstar, who was forced to cancel or postpone several shows throughout his most recent tour, announced the diagnosis on Instagram Thursday, July 31.

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Lyme disease Infectious Disease Justin Timberlake Dr. Sandra Arnold Dr. Stephen Threlkeld Subscriber Only

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Aisling Mäki

Aisling Mäki

Aisling Mäki covers health care, banking and finance, technology and professions. After launching her career in news two decades ago, she worked in public relations for almost a decade before returning to journalism in 2022.

As a health care reporter, she’s collaborated with The Carter Center, earned awards from the Associated Press and Society of Professional Journalists and won a 2024 Tennessee Press Association first-place prize for her series on discrepancies in Shelby County life expectancy by ZIP code.


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