Emergency Room Visits for Tick Bites Reach Highest Level in Nearly a Decade
Emergency room visits related to tick bites have surged to their highest level in the United States in almost ten years, according to new federal data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. For every 100,000 emergency room visits, 71 were attributed to tick-related complaints, marking a significant increase from the normal seasonal average of around 30 visits.
Experts Point to Increased Tick Activity and Awareness
Dr. John Halperin, a neurologist at New Jersey's Atlantic Health Overlook Medical Center, noted that while heightened public awareness may contribute to more people seeking emergency care, there appears to be a clear rise in tick populations. "It's not entirely clear how much of this is increased recognition and as people become more aware of this, more going to the emergency room. But there seems to be a clear increase in the number of ticks out there," he told ABC News.
Annually, approximately 31 million Americans experience tick bites, with around 89,000 contracting Lyme disease, which can lead to serious health issues affecting the heart, joints, and nervous system.
Climate Change Expands Tick Ranges and Seasons
Tick ranges are expanding northward due to warming temperatures driven by human-caused climate change, as these pests thrive in humid conditions. The peak tick season, traditionally from April to October, now often starts in March and extends through November. However, ticks can remain active during winter months as long as temperatures stay above freezing.
"Ticks don't take a winter vacation, and as long as temperatures stay above freezing, they remain active and looking for blood," said Dina Fonseca, a tick biology expert at Rutgers University-New Brunswick.
Health Risks Associated with Different Tick Species
Various tick species pose distinct health threats. Lyme disease is primarily spread by blacklegged ticks found in the eastern and southern U.S. Alpha-gal syndrome, a red meat allergy that proved fatal for a New Jersey pilot last year, is now known to be transmitted by three tick types: lone star ticks, western blacklegged ticks, and deer ticks. Previously, it was believed only lone star ticks could trigger this reaction.
What to Do If You Find a Tick
If bitten, experts recommend saving the tick for identification, as this can help doctors assess associated health risks. Follow these steps:
- Remove the tick promptly using fine-tipped tweezers, grasping it as close to the skin as possible.
- Pull upward with steady, even pressure to avoid breaking the tick.
- Preserve the tick in rubbing alcohol or a sealed bag.
- Clean the bite area and hands with rubbing alcohol or soap and water.
If you are in an area where Lyme disease is common, consider contacting a doctor. Otherwise, monitor for symptoms such as rash, fever, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, and joint swelling for 30 days post-bite. The risk of Lyme disease is very low if the tick was attached for less than 24 hours.
If the tick breaks during removal or parts remain in the skin, do not panic. According to Harvard's Lyme Wellness Initiative, leftover parts will emerge as the skin heals and cannot continue transmitting pathogens, though infection may have already occurred.
