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Tick Bite ER Visits Surge to Highest Level Since 2017

Health officials warn that milder winters have fueled surging tick populations, leading to record emergency room visits.

Overview

  • July has already seen the highest number of tick-related emergency room visits nationwide since 2017 according to CDC data.
  • The Northeast region is reporting the most pronounced increase, with the Fordham Tick Index rating bite risk at nine out of ten in the New York tri-state area.
  • Children under ten and adults over seventy are experiencing the highest rates of ER visits for tick bites.
  • Experts attribute the rise in tick activity to milder winters and favorable summer conditions that extend the seasonal habitat of disease-carrying ticks.
  • The CDC recommends using EPA-registered repellents, treating clothing with permethrin, avoiding brushy areas, and conducting thorough tick checks after outdoor activities.