Mon Jun 30 13:30:00 UTC 2025: **Summary:**

Tick bites are on the rise in the US, and early data suggests 2024 could be a particularly bad year. Ticks can carry over a dozen different disease-causing agents, with Lyme disease being the most common. Risk varies by region, with the Northeast, mid-Atlantic, and Upper Midwest facing the highest Lyme disease risk. The South sees more ehrlichiosis, spotted fever rickettsioses, and alpha-gal syndrome, while the West reports Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Experts advise prompt tick removal, identification, and symptom monitoring after a bite. Climate change, reforestation, and increased awareness are contributing to the spread of ticks and tick-borne diseases, including the emergence of new pathogens in previously unaffected areas.

**News Article:**

**Tick Bites Surge Across US, Experts Warn of Disease Risk**

**Washington D.C.** – Health officials are raising concerns about a potential surge in tick bites across the United States, with early data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) showing the highest rate of emergency room visits for tick bites since 2019. Ticks, arachnids that can transmit over a dozen disease-causing agents, pose a significant health risk to millions of Americans each year.

Lyme disease remains the most prevalent tick-borne illness, affecting an estimated 470,000 people annually. However, experts warn that ticks can carry a range of pathogens, including toxins, allergens, bacteria, parasites, and viruses, leading to illnesses ranging from mild to life-threatening.

“The risk of contracting a tick-borne disease varies depending on your location,” explains Alison Hinckley, an epidemiologist at the CDC’s Division of Vector-Borne Diseases. “The Northeast, mid-Atlantic, and Upper Midwest are high-risk areas for Lyme disease, while the South sees more cases of ehrlichiosis, spotted fever rickettsioses, and alpha-gal syndrome.”

Experts emphasize the importance of prompt tick removal and identification. Thomas Mather, director of the University of Rhode Island’s Center for Vector-Borne Disease, advises individuals to monitor themselves for symptoms after a bite and to seek medical attention if they develop fever, aches, pains, or a rash.

Several factors contribute to the increasing prevalence of ticks and the diseases they carry. Climate change, reforestation, and increased awareness all play a role in expanding the areas where ticks can survive and thrive. Nicole Baumgarth, director of Johns Hopkins University’s Lyme and Tickborne Diseases Research and Education Institute, notes that the emergence of new tick-borne pathogens in previously unaffected areas is a growing concern.

“We’re seeing viruses like Heartland Virus in areas where we haven’t seen them before, which likely indicates that there are more undiagnosed cases,” Baumgarth said.

Health officials urge the public to take preventative measures when spending time outdoors, including wearing protective clothing, using insect repellent, and conducting thorough tick checks after returning indoors. They also recommend consulting resources like the University of Rhode Island’s TickEncounter website and the CDC’s Tick Bite Bot for guidance on tick identification and next steps.

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