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CDC Reports 25% Rise in Tick-Bite Emergency Visits in April
Emergency department visits for tick bites rose more than 25% nationwide in April compared with the same period last year. The CDC estimates roughly 31 million Americans are bitten by ticks annually, and the number of tick-borne illnesses is increasing.
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Emergency room visits for tick bites increased more than 25% across the United States in April compared with the same month last year, according to CDC data. The Northeast recorded the largest share of the increase. By the fourth week of April, tick-bite visits reached 114 per 100,000 emergency department encounters, the highest rate recorded for that point in the year since at least 2017.
The CDC estimates that about 31 million Americans receive tick bites each year.
Lyme disease is transmitted by blacklegged ticks carrying Borrelia bacteria. Transmission typically requires the tick to remain attached for 36 to 48 hours. Early symptoms include a bull’s-eye rash, fever, chills, headache, fatigue, and muscle or joint pain; untreated cases can affect the heart, nervous system, and joints.
Alpha-gal syndrome is linked to lone star tick bites that introduce a sugar molecule into the bloodstream, triggering allergic reactions to mammal products. Symptoms range from hives and gastrointestinal distress to anaphylaxis. The CDC estimates up to 450,000 Americans may have been affected as of 2023.
Rocky Mountain spotted fever is caused by Rickettsia rickettsii bacteria. Initial flu-like symptoms can progress to blood-vessel damage, organ injury, and, in severe cases, amputation or death if not treated promptly with antibiotics. Anaplasmosis, spread by blacklegged ticks, produces fever, chills, headache, and muscle aches.
Roughly 5,000 to 6,000 cases occur annually; older adults and immunocompromised individuals face higher risk of respiratory failure or death. Ehrlichiosis results from Ehrlichia bacteria transmitted by infected ticks. Symptoms include fever, confusion, and rash; delayed treatment can lead to organ failure, seizures, or coma.
Prevention Steps Dr.
Alison Hinckley of the CDC’s Division of Vector-Borne Diseases said Americans should use EPA-registered insect repellent, wear permethrin-treated clothing, and perform tick checks after outdoor activity. She added that anyone developing a rash or fever after a possible tick exposure should seek medical care promptly.
