Justin Timberlake has joined the ranks of celebrities affected by Lyme disease, and some believe they’ve identified the vacation spot where these high-profile individuals are contracting the illness.

Lyme disease is an infection caught from tick bites that causes muscle pain, brain fog, swollen joints and fatigue.

It can last for a few weeks but some patients can suffer for years.

Ticks are commonly found in tall, grassy areas as well as woodland spots.  

The 44-year-old singer announced his challenging health struggle in an Instagram post last month, coinciding with the conclusion of his Forget Tomorrow World Tour.

He follows in the footsteps of other celebrities like Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Yolanda Hadid and her daughter, model Bella Hadid, both of whom have also faced this diagnosis.

Singer Justin Bieber, actor Ben Stiller and comic Amy Schumer are among other celebrities who have also experienced the condition. 

People have noticed how the number of stars getting the disease is increasing, and have identified a place some seem to have in common. 

A Reddit user, according to Tyla, explained how they think the celebrities have all been to the Hamptons.

The Hamptons are a group of seaside resorts and is a popular destination for wealthy New Yorkers and stars. 

The region, situated on Long Island’s South Fork, is popular with stars seeking a retreat, offering numerous beaches along with top-notch dining and nightlife options.

One person said on Reddit: ‘It’s from the Hamptons. All celebrities with it have been there. 

‘I’m pretty sure it’s close to where he got his DUI.’

Someone else added: ‘They all vacationed in the Hamptons, which is a hot bed for ticks with Lyme disease.’

Another agreed: ‘This. I’ve been telling people this over and over. 

‘They spend a lot of time in the Hamptons, especially JT, which is known for Lyme disease ticks. 

‘If you look at Lyme disease hotspots across the US, the Hamptons is filled in like a colouring book.’ 

The Hamptons theory may not be completely wild, as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a map showing how the disease has spread in America over recent decades.

‘Since 1995, the range of Lyme disease cases in the United States has expanded significantly,’ the CDC said. 

A map released by the disease officials shows how the bug was clustered near the South Fork area, where the Hamptons are located, back in 1995.

Another illustration for 2010 shows it spreading to New Jersey, Delaware, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Maryland and Massachusetts, as well as Pennsylvania, Virginia and Vermont. 

While the most recent map, dated to 2023, shows Lyme disease to be even more concentrated in the New York area. 

The Regional Tick-Borne Disease Resource Center, in Hampton Bays, was established in 2014.

It offers consultations with Lyme disease specialists and offers a range of services including tick removal and treatment. 

They also provide free tick removal kits as well as Tick -Borne Disease Reference Handbooks, according to the site. 

Since it began, the help line has received more than 7,000 calls.