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

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