An army of ticks is sending more Marylanders to the ER

Key Points:

• Emergency department visits for tick bites have increased by over 25% nationwide compared to last year, with Maryland and northeastern states experiencing the highest rates, raising concerns about Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses.
• Lyme disease cases in Maryland have nearly tripled since 2020, with over 3,000 cases reported in 2024; deer ticks carrying Lyme bacteria are prevalent in the region, and untreated Lyme disease can lead to serious complications.
• Besides Lyme disease, ticks can transmit other illnesses like babesiosis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and alpha-gal syndrome, the latter causing allergic reactions to red meat and becoming more common in affected areas.
• There are currently no vaccines widely available for tick-borne diseases, although a Lyme disease vaccine shows promise for future use; prevention through protective clothing, repellents, and thorough tick checks remains the primary defense.
• Maryland health officials urge residents to take precautions when outdoors, such as using EPA-approved insect repellents, wearing protective clothing, showering promptly after exposure, and performing regular tick checks on themselves and pets.