The State Parks With The Most Tick-Borne Illness

Key Points:

• The article highlights ten state parks across the Northeast, mid-Atlantic, and upper Midwest regions of the U.S. as high-risk areas for tick-borne diseases, particularly Lyme disease, due to their dense tick populations and heavy human traffic.
• Pennsylvania's Pine Grove Furnace State Park leads the list, reflecting the state's highest Lyme disease case count nationwide, with other notable parks including Green Lakes and Harriman in New York, and Round Valley Reservoir in New Jersey.
• Wisconsin's Devil's Lake State Park and Minnesota's Jay Cooke and Itasca State Parks are also emphasized for their increasing tick populations and rising Lyme disease cases, linked to changing environmental factors like warmer winters.
• Illinois parks such as Starved Rock and Mississippi Palisades have seen a surge in tick-borne illnesses, with dense woods and large deer populations creating ideal tick habitats.
• Preventative measures recommended include using EPA-approved insect repellents, wearing protective clothing, staying on cleared trails, conducting thorough tick checks after outdoor activities, and seeking prompt medical attention if symptoms arise after a tick bite.