Weekly ER visits for tick bites reach highest level in nearly a decade. Will this season be worse?

Key Points:

• Weekly emergency room visits for tick bites have reached 71 per 100,000 visits, more than double the typical rate of about 30 per 100,000 for this time of year, marking the highest level since at least 2017, according to CDC data.
• The Northeast region reports the highest number of ER visits for tick bites, followed by the Midwest, Southeast, West, and South Central regions, with experts noting an earlier start and increased tick populations this year.
• Climate change, resulting in shorter winters, earlier springs, and warmer temperatures, is believed to contribute to the rise in tick populations and extended tick season, increasing the risk of tick-borne diseases like Lyme disease.
• The CDC advises avoiding wooded and brushy areas, using EPA-registered insect repellents with at least 20% DEET or picaridin, treating clothing with permethrin, and performing daily tick checks to reduce the risk of tick bites.
• Experts recommend promptly removing ticks with fine-tip tweezers, cleaning the bite area, and documenting the tick for identification to assess potential disease risk.