Emergency Rooms Across the U.S. Report Spike in Tick Bites

Emergency departments nationwide are seeing a sharp increase in tick bites this summer. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), July has already recorded the highest number of tick-related emergency room visits since 2017, with young children and older adults showing the greatest vulnerability.

Why the Sudden Increase?

Several key factors are contributing to this surge:

  • Milder Winters & Wetter Springs: Due to climate change, ticks are surviving winters in greater numbers and emerging earlier in the season. The Northeast alone is reporting a 30–40% rise in tick activity compared to last year.

  • Geographic Spread: Ticks—including disease-carrying blacklegged, Lone Star, and American dog ticks—are expanding into new regions, increasing the risk of bites.

  • Spike in Outdoor Time: With summer in full swing, more people—families, hikers, and gardeners—are spending time in tick-prone areas.

Who Is Most at Risk?

  • Kids under 10 and seniors over 70 are showing the highest rates of ER visits for tick bites.

  • The Northeast region has seen the sharpest increase; the Fordham Tick Index shows risk levels at 9 out of 10 in parts of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut.

Why Tick Bites Matter

Ticks can transmit several serious diseases:

  • Lyme disease (via blacklegged or deer ticks)

  • Babesiosis, anaplasmosis, and powassan virus

  • Rocky Mountain spotted fever (via American dog ticks)

  • Alpha-gal syndrome (a red meat allergy triggered by Lone Star ticks)

ER visits often stem from concerns about potential disease, severe rash, or flu-like symptoms such as fever, fatigue, or muscle aches—common indicators of tick-borne infection.

What to Do If You Find a Tick

  1. Remove Promptly
    Use fine-tip tweezers or a tick removal tool to grasp the tick close to the skin and pull steadily upward—no twisting or crushing.

  2. Monitor Symptoms
    Watch for signs like a rash (including bullseye), fever, chills, headache, or body aches over the next few weeks.

  3. Consult a Healthcare Provider
    Especially if the tick was attached for over 36 hours or if symptoms appear. In high-Lyme areas, doctors may prescribe Doxycycline within 72 hours to prevent infection.

  4. Submit the Tick for Testing
    In some regions, diagnostic labs offer testing to detect tick-borne pathogens.

How to Reduce Your Risk

✔️ Dress for Protection:
Wear light-colored, long-sleeved shirts and pants. Tuck pant legs into socks.

✔️ Use Repellents & Permethrin:
Apply EPA-approved DEET or Picaridin. Treat clothing and gear with 0.5% permethrin.

✔️ Stick to Trails:
Avoid brushing against tall grass or leaf litter—ticks tend to “quest” on vegetation.

✔️ Check Yourself and Others:
After outdoor activities, shower within 2 hours and do a full body check using mirrors. Don’t forget pets!

✔️ Landscape Smartly:
Keep lawns mowed, clear leaf litter, and create barriers between wooded areas and your yard .

When to Head to the ER

Seek medical attention immediately if:

  • The tick cannot be removed fully

  • A rash (especially bullseye) develops

  • You experience fever, chills, headache, or joint pain

  • You’re in a high-risk group (young children, elderly, immunocompromised)

Real-Life Impact: A Case to Know

A father in Massachusetts saw an alarming rash on his toddler after a tick bite. Though the child tested negative for Lyme disease, the situation prompted a hospital visit and a stark reminder of how serious tick exposures can become—especially in young children.

Final Word: Balance Fun with Safety

Outdoor activities are essential for health and happiness, but tick awareness is key. This summer’s unprecedented ER visits signal a need for renewed caution. With smart prevention and prompt response, you can enjoy hiking, gardening, and backyard fun without unnecessary worry.

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