Health officials are urging increased vigilance this summer as tick activity rises across much of the country, bringing a greater risk of tick-borne diseases.
According to an article from Maryland Matters, tick season is off to an unusually active start in 2026, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reporting the highest number of emergency department visits for tick bites in April since 2017. Visits have remained elevated through May and June.
The tiny blood-suckers, which tend to thrive in warmer climates, are spreading to places that used to be too cold for their existence, she said during a July 1 SciLine media briefing, as temperatures rise in the United States and around the world. With more ticks comes a greater risk of individuals developing tick-borne diseases such as Lyme disease, Alpha-gal syndrome and anaplasmosis.
The CDC estimates nearly 476,000 Americans are treated for Lyme disease each year. Early symptoms of many tick-borne diseases, including fever, headache, muscle aches, and joint pain, often resemble common viral illnesses, making awareness and prompt medical attention especially important.
Public health experts recommend, from the article:
If one discovers a tick on the skin, Toledo said the proper response is to first quickly remove the tick with tweezers by pinching and pulling it up in a vertical motion, then disinfecting the area and monitoring for signs of sickness. People should not, on the other hand, deal with a tick by burning it off or applying petroleum jelly to the bite, said University of Wisconsin-Madison Assistant Professor Adela Oliva Chavez, a tick researcher, at the briefing.
Because many tick-borne pathogens are unlikely to be transmitted until a tick has been attached for about 24 hours, prompt removal can significantly reduce the risk of infection.
Prevention remains the best defense. Wearing long sleeves and light-colored clothing, using EPA-approved insect repellent, checking for ticks after spending time outdoors, and inspecting pets that may bring ticks indoors can all help reduce the risk of tick bites.
