Back
Science

CDC reports increased emergency room visits for tick bites in Northeast, highest national level in nearly a decade

Generated on: Last updated: 2 sources
View source

Tick Bite Emergency Room Visits Surge in the Northeast, CDC Data Shows

For every 100,000 ER visits in the Northeast, 163 were for tick-related complaints, up from 52 in March. This is the highest regional rate in the country, according to data updated on April 12 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Nationally, emergency room visits to treat tick bites have reached 71 per 100,000 trips, the highest level in almost a decade. This compares to a seasonal average of about 30 per 100,000 visits at this time of year.

Following the Northeast, the regions with the next highest rates of tick bite ER visits are the Midwest, Southwest, West, and South Central areas.

Tick-Borne Diseases on the Rise

The CDC notes that ticks are responsible for 90 percent of all vector-borne diseases in the United States. Diseases carried by ticks include:

  • Lyme disease (typical in Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and Midwest)
  • Rocky Mountain spotted fever (nationwide)
  • Anaplasmosis and ehrlichiosis (common in eastern and southern U.S.)
  • Powassan virus (common in Northeast and Great Lakes region)
  • Babesiosis (primarily found in Northeast and upper Midwest)
  • Alpha-gal syndrome (causes allergic reaction to meat and dairy; carried by Lone Star tick)

In Connecticut, officials have reported that cases of Lyme disease are also increasing.

Expert Perspective on the Increase

Dr. John J. Halperin, chair of the New Jersey Stroke Care Advisory Panel and a member of the department of neuroscience at Atlantic Health Overlook Medical Center, commented on the trend.

"We're running well above historic average and even well above last year," Halperin stated.

He continued, "The ticks have started a little earlier. There seems to be a lot of them. A lot of people are going to the emergency room." Halperin also noted that increased public awareness may be a factor, but concluded, "There seems to be a clear increase in the number of ticks out there."

How to Prevent Tick Bites

The CDC provides the following recommendations to reduce the risk of tick bites, especially as the season typically peaks in May:

  • Know where ticks live: Grassy, brushy, or wooded areas, including backyards.
  • Avoid high-risk areas such as tall grass, leaf litter, and dense brush. Walk in the center of trails when outdoors.
  • Use EPA-registered insect repellents containing ingredients like DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus.
  • Treat clothing, boots, and camping gear with products containing 0.5 percent permethrin, or buy pre-treated items.
  • Wear long sleeves and pants to reduce exposed skin.
  • Check clothes after being outside and tumble dry them on high heat for 10 minutes to kill hidden ticks.
  • Shower within two hours of coming inside.
  • Perform a full-body tick check, paying close attention to hidden spots like under the arms, in and around the ears, inside the belly button, behind the knees, and in the hair.