Tick alert: Scientists warn of increasing tick population in US: Affected areas, health risks and how to stay safe

Time of India

24-06-2025

Image credits: Getty Images
The summer season has officially begun and so has the arrival of ticks in various regions of the states. It is during this season that stepping outside exposes you not only to scorching heat but also dangerous ticks whose populations are not only increasing but also migrating.
Below, find major areas affected by ticks, health risks these little threats pose and measures to stay safe.
Rise of tick population in the US
Image credits: Getty Images
According to the New York Times, at least four types of ticks have not only multiplied at alarming rates but are also migrating beyond the limits of their preferred habitats.
While the Deer ticks are expanding north, the long-horned ticks are moving westward from the West Coast, the Gulf Coast ticks are migrating to more northern territory and the lone star ticks are making a large move from the south to the north and have been found in Canada.
Along with moving into new areas, they are now staying active for a much longer period which the scientists say is because of climate change. According to them, the increasing temperatures of the planet make it possible for ticks to live in habitats that were previously less hospitable. Additionally, their typical habitats have become even more warmer, thus increasing their life span.
Health risks posed by tick bites
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According to the data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in May, the rate of people seeking emergency care for tick bites was the highest it's been since 2019.
As per a study published in ScienceDirect, over 31 million people (nearly 1 in 10) living in the US experience tick bites every year.
While not every tick bite leads to diseases and not every tick bites long enough to transmit them, tick-borne diseases are the most common vector-borne infections in the United States.
Lyme disease is the most frequent tick-borne disease in the U.S., estimated to affect more than 470,000 people every year.
Additionally, tick bites can cause anaplasmosis, babesiosis, ehrlichiosis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and alpha-gal syndrome (an allergy to red meat).
Concerns for tick bites vary according to areas
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North
: Tick bites are most common in the Northeast, mid-Atlantic and Upper Midwest with nearly 20% of people getting them per year. According to research by the CDC, Lyme disease is a high risk in these regions. The bacteria that causes the disease, Borrelia burgdorferi, is the common pathogen that is carried by deer ticks in this region.
Only 2-6% of ticks in the area might carry other bacteria that cause anaplasmosis, babesiosis or relapsing fever.
South
: In the central and southeastern parts, 13% of people report tick bites. Here, ehrlichiosis, spotted fever rickettsioses and the allergic condition alpha-gal syndrome are the top concerns.
West
: In western states, including California, tick bites are less common with around 6% reports. Lyme disease, anaplasmosis and Rocky Mountain spotted fever are some of the diseases people get there.
How to stay safe from tick bites?
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Wearing long pants and sleeves and tucking your pants into socks or shoes and the shirt into pants can protect the body from ticks latching onto it.
One can also use tick repellents containing DEET, picaridin or other active ingredients when going outside.
When outside, try to stay away from shrubs or foliage as ticks tend to reside there.
Treat outdoor clothing with permethrin, to stop ticks from biting.
In the case of a tick bite, remove the tick from the body but don't throw it away as it would help determine your risks.
Perform careful and frequent tick checks.
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