Lyme Disease Warning as Map Shows Tick Bite Surge Across US
Summary
Emergency room visits due to tick bites are rising across most U.S. regions, reaching the highest numbers since 2017, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Lyme disease, spread by ticks, is becoming more common, especially in the Northeast, Midwest, and Southeast, and health officials are warning people to take precautions.Key Facts
- Emergency room visits for tick bites are increasing in every U.S. region except the South Central states.
- The Northeast had the highest rate of ER visits for tick bites in early May 2026, rising from 58 to 73 visits per 100,000 ER visits.
- Lyme disease is caused by bacteria spread through blacklegged ticks, also called deer ticks.
- Early symptoms of Lyme disease include fever, fatigue, headache, and a bull’s-eye rash.
- If untreated, Lyme disease can affect joints, the heart, and the nervous system.
- Pennsylvania began tracking alpha-gal syndrome, a rare red meat allergy linked to lone star tick bites, with about 600 cases reported in two years.
- The CDC estimates 31 million people are bitten by ticks yearly in the U.S., with nearly 476,000 Lyme disease cases treated annually.
- Experts warn this year may see more tick-borne illnesses than usual due to increasing tick infections.
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