emergency rooms across the United States are reporting a significant and concerning surge in tick-related visits this summer. New data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicates that emergency department visits for tick bites have reached levels not seen in years, particularly alarming health officials. This rise is prompting urgent warnings about the potential for tick-borne illnesses during peak outdoor activity.
Alarming Rise in Tick Bites Reported
The latest CDC data reveals a striking increase in people seeking emergency care for tick bites. July 2025, in particular, recorded the highest number of tick-related ER visits for that month since at least 2017. While emergency visits for tick bites typically peak in late spring and early summer, the sustained high numbers extending into July are unusual and a cause for concern among health professionals.
Regional Hotspots and Vulnerable Groups
The Northeast region of the country is currently experiencing the highest incidence of these cases. Early data from May 2025 showed an unprecedented start to the season in the Northeast, with ER reporting reaching 264 visits per 100,000 ER visits in the first week alone. For context, this single week’s total nearly surpassed the average for the entire month of May over the past nine years (245 visits) and approached the prior full-month record set in 2017 (332 visits). This early surge in May set the stage for a challenging summer.
Beyond the Northeast, the New York tristate area—covering southern New York, Connecticut, and Northern New Jersey—faces a particularly high risk. The Fordham Tick Index, which monitors local tick activity, currently rates the bite risk as “very high,” scoring 9 out of 10 on its scale. New England residents have described this as one of the worst tick seasons in recent history, with CDC data showing high rates in June and May 2024 there as well (229 and 167 bites per 100,000 ER visits, respectively).
Certain populations are proving especially vulnerable to tick bites requiring emergency care. CDC data highlights that young children under the age of 10 and older adults over 70 years old show the highest rates of emergency room visits linked to tick bites.
Why Are Tick Bites Increasing?
Multiple factors appear to be contributing to this surge in tick activity and subsequent bites. Experts point to a combination of climate-related and ecological elements.
Climate Change and Ecological Factors
The CDC suggests that climate change plays a role in the increasing numbers. Milder winters, especially in regions where tick-borne diseases like Lyme disease are common, mean fewer disease-carrying ticks die during the cold months. This can lead to larger tick populations surviving into the warmer seasons.
Ecological factors further exacerbate the situation. Bumper crops of acorns provide ample food for mice, which are key hosts for young ticks. Large deer populations, another significant host for adult ticks, also help sustain higher tick numbers. These ecological elements can also thrive in warmer temperatures, creating conditions favorable for tick proliferation.
Favorable Weather Conditions
Specific weather patterns earlier in the season have also contributed. According to Dr. Thomas Mather, Director of the University of Rhode Island’s Center for Vector-Borne Diseases, the deer tick (blacklegged tick), a major disease carrier in the Northeast, thrives in less hot and dry conditions. The spring and early summer this year lacked the hot, dry days that typically kill these ticks, allowing more to survive and increasing the chances of human encounters. Dr. Mather suggests that as summer progresses with potentially hotter, drier conditions, tick populations may decrease, and Massachusetts might have already passed its peak.
Recognizing Tick Bite Symptoms and Diseases
Ticks are more than just a nuisance; they can transmit various diseases through their bites. These illnesses, such as Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF), often present with similar initial symptoms, making prompt medical attention crucial if a tick bite is suspected.
Common Signs to Watch For
Most people visiting emergency rooms for tick bites report experiencing symptoms like:
Fever and chills
Headaches
Fatigue
Muscle aches
Some tick-borne illnesses also cause distinctive rashes. The most well-known is the characteristic “bulls-eye” rash associated with Lyme disease, though not all Lyme cases present this way. Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever can also cause a specific rash. Dr. Todd Ellerin, an infectious disease specialist at South Shore Health, stresses the importance of looking for any rash after a tick bite, even if it isn’t the classic bulls-eye.
It’s important to seek medical advice if you find a tick attached, especially if it has been on your skin for at least 36 hours. In certain circumstances, a single dose of antibiotics like Doxycycline can significantly reduce the risk of developing Lyme disease.
Essential Tick Prevention Strategies
With outdoor activities popular during the summer months, protecting yourself and your family from tick bites is vital. Health officials and the CDC have issued several key recommendations:
Avoid high-risk areas: Stay away from wooded and brushy areas with high grass and leaf litter where ticks commonly hide.
Stay centered on trails: When hiking, walk in the middle of trails to minimize contact with vegetation along the edges.
Use EPA-registered repellents: Apply insect repellents containing DEET, Picaridin, or other EPA-approved ingredients to exposed skin. Ensure the product is registered with the Environmental Protection Agency.
Treat clothing and gear: Use permethrin on outdoor clothing, boots, and camping gear. This treatment remains effective through multiple washes. (Note: Do not apply permethrin directly to skin).
Apply sunscreen first: If using both sunscreen and insect repellent, apply sunscreen first, followed by the repellent.
Conduct thorough checks: After spending time outdoors, perform a comprehensive check of your body, clothing, gear, and pets for ticks. Pay close attention to areas like hair, ears, armpits, waistline, and behind knees.
- Shower soon after coming indoors: Showering within two hours of returning indoors can help remove ticks that may not have attached yet.
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Health officials emphasize that no area is entirely immune to tick activity. Awareness and preventative measures are crucial regardless of your location. Dr. Richard Ostfeld, a scientist with The Tick Project, suggests the heightened risk appearing earlier in the spring indicates health agencies might consider shifting awareness campaigns like “Lyme Awareness Month” to April instead of May to better prepare the public for the threat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are tick bite ER visits increasing this summer across the US?
Tick bite emergency room visits are increasing due to milder winters influenced by climate change, which allows more ticks to survive. Ecological factors like abundant food for host animals (mice, deer) also support larger tick populations. Specific weather conditions earlier this season, such as less hot and dry spring and early summer days, further boosted tick survival, leading to more human bites.
Where is the risk of tick bites currently highest in the United States?
The risk of tick bites requiring emergency care is currently highest in the Northeast region of the U.S., according to the CDC. Specifically, the New York tristate area (southern New York, Connecticut, and Northern New Jersey) has a “very high” risk rating on the Fordham Tick Index. Other parts of New England are also reporting one of their worst seasons in years.
What are the most effective steps I can take to prevent tick bites this summer?
To prevent tick bites, avoid tall grass, wooded areas, and leaf litter. Stay in the center of trails when hiking. Use EPA-registered insect repellents containing DEET or Picaridin on skin, and consider treating clothing and gear with permethrin. Perform thorough tick checks on yourself, children, and pets after being outdoors, and shower soon after coming inside.
Conclusion
The alarming surge in emergency room visits for tick bites highlights a significant public health concern this summer. Driven by a mix of climate factors, ecological conditions, and favorable weather, ticks are presenting an increased threat, especially in the Northeast. While young children and older adults face a higher risk, everyone engaging in outdoor activities should remain vigilant. By understanding the signs of tick-borne illness and consistently applying recommended prevention strategies, individuals can significantly reduce their risk and protect themselves during this period of heightened activity. Staying informed and taking proactive steps is the best defense against these tiny, but potentially dangerous, pests.
