U.S. doctors warn of a potentially bad year for tick-borne diseases
Summary
Doctors in the United States warn that this year may see more cases of diseases spread by ticks because more tick bites have already been reported early in the season. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is advising people to protect themselves as tick activity and related hospital visits are higher than usual.Key Facts
- Tick bites are happening earlier and more often than usual across much of the U.S. this year.
- The CDC has issued a warning urging people to take precautions against tick bites now.
- Emergency room visits for tick bites are the highest since 2017 for this time of year, except in the south-central U.S.
- Ticks can carry diseases like Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and a red meat allergy called alpha-gal syndrome.
- Lyme disease affects nearly half a million people annually in the U.S., often treated with antibiotics.
- Climate change, mild winters, and higher populations of animals like deer and mice are helping tick numbers grow.
- In Connecticut, 40% of the ticks tested so far have Lyme disease bacteria, showing a strong local risk.
- Small ticks called nymphs, which are harder to see and remove, will become more common soon, increasing infection risk.
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