As tick activity increases, experts advise taking extra care before spending time outdoors.
Emergency room visits for tick bites have reached their highest levels for this time of year since 2017. Several regions of the United States are seeing increased tick activity due to warmer temperatures, especially in the Northeast and Midwest, according to theCenters for Disease Control and Prevention.
An estimated476,000 peoplereceive treatment for Lyme disease each year, making it the most prevalent tick-borne illness in the U.S.
The Northeast states are seeing the largest increase in tick-related emergency room visits as ofApril, with rates far higher than in the rest of the United States. The Midwest is the second most affected region.
Lyme disease is an infection caused by bacteria calledBorrelia burgdorferithat can be carried by infected ticks. Tick bites, especially those from blacklegged ticks, are the most common way these germs spread to humans. Due to the small size of the blacklegged tick and the tendency for its bite to go unnoticed, not everyone who experiences Lyme disease symptoms remembers being bitten by a tick, according toHarvard Health.
The main causes of tick population growth includeclimate change, warmer winters, and expanding habitats, which allow ticks to survive in greater numbers and spread into new areas.
According to Harvard Health about 90% of U.S. cases have been reported in14 states: Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.
Not all ticks carry the bacteria that cause Lyme disease. Depending on where you live, fewer than 1% of ticks in a region may carry the bacteria; in other areas, as many as half of ticks are infected, according toJohns Hopkins Medicine.
The blacklegged tick and the Western blacklegged tick (also known as deer ticks) can spread Lyme disease, which can lead to a wide range of health problems. Most Lyme disease cases have been reported in the Upper Midwest, Northeast, and Mid-Atlantic states.
After enjoying the great outdoors, it’s best to perform a preventative tick check on your entire body. Ticks can be as small as a poppy seed. According to theU.S. Forest Service, here are some steps to follow when checking for them:
Source: Drudge Report
