Emergency room visits for tick bites have surged across the U.S. this summer, with the Tri-State area reporting a particularly alarming number of cases.
According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), July has witnessed the highest level of tick-related ER visits since 2017, indicating a troubling trend that continues into the summer months.
Typically, tick-related ER visits peak in May and then decrease in June, but this year, numbers have remained significantly elevated, reaching nearly 100 tick-related visits per 100,000 emergency room visits.
Residents of Southern New York, Connecticut, and northern New Jersey are facing a high risk of tick bites, with the Fordham Tick Index assigning a risk level of 9 out of 10, marking it as severe.
Even urban areas are not free from this threat, as ticks have been discovered in all five boroughs of New York City.
The spike in tick bites this summer can be linked to a rise in the tick population in the Northeast.
Experts from the New York State Integrated Pest Management program explain that an abundant acorn crop in 2023 has led to a proliferation of mice and deer, which are ideal hosts for ticks, contributing to their population boom.
Those most vulnerable to tick bites are elderly adults and young children.
The CDC has noted that individuals under 10 and those over 70 years old have the highest rates of ER visits related to tick bites.
Ticks can transmit various illnesses, including Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever; symptoms often include fever, chills, headaches, fatigue, and muscle aches.
To protect themselves, health officials recommend avoiding wooded areas, tall grass, and leaf litter, as well as staying toward the center of trails when hiking.
The CDC also suggests using Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) registered insect repellents that contain DEET, Picaridin, or other EPA-approved ingredients.
Additionally, outdoor clothing and gear can be treated with permethrin, and it is advisable for those using sunscreen and insect repellent to apply the sunscreen first.
Pet owners should not neglect their furry companions when it comes to tick prevention.
Veterinarian Dr. Carly Fox from the Schwarzman Animal Medical Center has observed a noticeable increase in tick-borne illnesses among pets, particularly as people take their animals along while traveling.
To keep ticks at bay, she recommends treating dogs with year-round flea and tick prevention medications.
Regular brushing of your dog’s coat and thorough skin checks following walks are also crucial for tick management.
If a tick is spotted on a pet, Dr. Fox advises using tweezers to grasp it as close to the pet’s skin as possible, employing a swift, single motion for removal.
She emphasizes that even if the head of the tick remains embedded, removing the body will prevent further infection, and the head will eventually fall away.
As the tick population rises, awareness and preventive measures are essential to safeguard both people and pets.
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