Emergency room visits for tick bites are at their highest level in more than a decade, according to CDC data and recent public-health reports. Growing tick populations across the United States are producing more human encounters and more people seeking emergency care — especially in the Northeast, where increases are largest, followed by the Midwest. All regions except the South Central area have reported their highest weekly number of tick-bite ER visits since 2017.
Why this is happening
– More tick encounters: An estimated 31 million people in the U.S. are bitten by ticks every year. Reported ER visits likely reflect both a true rise in tick encounters and increased public awareness of tick-borne illness.
– More Lyme disease: Lyme disease remains the most common tick-borne infection in the U.S.; current estimates put diagnosed cases at roughly 400,000–470,000 annually and rising over the past two decades.
– Climate and ecological shifts: Warming temperatures and milder winters help ticks survive and expand into new areas. Recovery of white-tailed deer populations, suburban development into wooded areas, and habitat changes also increase human–tick contact. Together these factors have extended the geographic range and seasonal activity of disease-carrying ticks.
What clinicians expect
Emergency departments in areas where ticks are common should prepare for more patients with early Lyme disease and other tick-borne infections during peak season (roughly May through August). Early recognition and treatment are important because some infections can be harder to diagnose and may cause complications if delayed.
How to reduce your risk
– Use repellents: Apply EPA-registered insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or other recommended ingredients on exposed skin and clothing as directed.
– Dress to limit exposure: Wear long sleeves and pants, tuck pants into socks, and choose light-colored clothing so ticks are easier to spot.
– Stay on trails: Avoid tall grass and heavy leaf litter when hiking or walking in wooded or brushy areas.
– Check clothing and gear: Inspect and shake out clothes, shoes, and backpacks after being outdoors.
– Shower soon after being outside: Bathing can wash off unattached ticks and gives a chance to do a thorough check.
– Do a full-body check: Ticks can be as small as a poppy seed. Use a hand or full-length mirror to examine your entire body, paying special attention to warm, hidden places: hairline and scalp, behind the ears, underarms, groin, behind knees, between toes, and the navel.
– Protect pets: Pets can bring ticks into the home. Talk with your veterinarian about appropriate tick prevention for dogs and cats.
If you find a tick
– Remove it promptly and correctly: Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible and pull straight out with steady pressure. Clean the bite area and your hands after removal.
– Timing matters: Removing attached ticks within 24 hours substantially reduces the chance of Lyme transmission.
– When to see a doctor: Seek medical attention if you develop symptoms such as fever, fatigue, joint pain, or a rash — especially the classic expanding “bull’s-eye” rash — or if you believe a tick was attached for more than 24 hours. Health professionals can advise whether testing or preventive antibiotics are appropriate.
Bottom line
Tick-bite encounters and related ER visits are increasing in many parts of the U.S., driven by environmental and ecological changes. Simple preventive steps — repellents, protective clothing, prompt showering and thorough tick checks, and rapid removal of attached ticks — can substantially lower your risk of tick-borne disease. Stay alert during peak tick season and seek medical care if you notice signs of infection.
