ER Visits For Tick Bites At Highest Level In A Decade: What To Know In CT
Patch • • health
Key Points:
- Emergency room visits for tick bites in the Northeast have surged to 163 per 100,000 visits, a significant increase from 52 in March, according to CDC data updated April 12.
- Nationally, tick bite-related ER visits are at their highest in nearly a decade, with 71 per 100,000 visits compared to the usual 30 per 100,000 at this time of year.
- Ticks transmit a variety of diseases including Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, anaplasmosis, ehrlichiosis, Powassan virus, and babesiosis, with Lyme disease cases rising notably in Connecticut.
- The Lone Star tick, which can cause Alpha-gal syndrome leading to allergic reactions to meat and dairy, is expanding its range in the Northeast, Southeast, and Midwest.
- The CDC recommends preventive measures such as avoiding tick habitats, using insect repellents, treating clothing with permethrin, wearing protective clothing, performing thorough tick checks, and showering soon after outdoor activities.
