Tick season seems to be off to a fast start, and some experts worry about future illnesses

NEW YORK (AP) — Tick season appears to be off to a flying start; An unusually high number of bites were reported across the country.

Some U.S. doctors worry about the potential for a bad year for tick-borne diseases.

D., an infectious diseases physician at Middlesex Hospital in Middletown, Connecticut. “If you have a lot of exposure, there will probably be more cases of tick-related infections,” Alina Filozov said.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention this week issued an early advisory to the public to protect against ticks.

Tick ​​bites typically increase in May, but “the data tells us now is the time to act,” said Alison Hinckley, a CDC Lyme disease expert. “Ticks are out and people are being bitten.”

Emergency room visits for tick bites on the rise

Available data is very limited but initial signs are not good.

CDCs tracking system It shows weekly rates of visits to the emergency room for tick bites are the highest for this time of year since 2017. This is true for all regions of the country except the south-central region of the United States.

About 85% of U.S. hospital emergency departments send data to the surveillance system, but that system cannot catch people who do not go to the hospital.

It will take months for researchers to map changes in tick populations through systematic tick sampling. Since not every bite results in infection, it will also take time for medical professionals to know if there is a true increase in Lyme disease or other illnesses.

Ticks cause diseases, including meat allergy

Ticks are small, eight-legged, blood-sucking parasites (arthropods, not insects) that feed on animals and sometimes humans.

Tick ​​populations vary throughout the year, and their numbers depend on several factors. It is widely believed that climate change is having an impact: Ticks like warm, humid weather, and more may be seen after a mild winter. More deer and mice to feed on may also be a factor.

Some ticks become infected with germs that can cause serious illnesses, including: Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever And alpha-gal syndromered meat allergy. Lyme disease is the most common and estimated 476,000 people is treated every year, according to the CDC. Infections are usually treated with antibiotics.

Most of the ticks seen in the Northeast so far this year have been large adult ticks. However, young nymphs will become more common in the coming weeks. The emergence of fairies and more people spending time outside are among the reasons why tick bites are highest in May. To make matters worse, tiny fairies that attach to humans are harder to see and often stay there longer, leading to an increased risk of infection, experts say.

A notorious hotspot sees tick surge

Connecticut has a connection to tick-borne diseases — Lyme disease is named after a town there. Earlier this month, the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station reported that residents were currently submitting an average of 30 ticks per day for testing.

State officials also said an unusually high percentage (40%) of submitted ticks tested positive for the bacteria that causes Lyme disease.

Scott Williams, a tick researcher at the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, said several factors have helped tick populations increase, including unusually high numbers of mice in the past two years.

All we have so far is an early photo, said Megan Linske, a wildlife biologist at the same institution. He expects the problem to continue to get worse and for more ticks to spread to more areas.

How to prevent tick bites

Experts recommend that if you go outside, pay attention to woodlands and grassy areas that are starting to encroach on the woodlands. Ticks tend to perch in vegetation at ankle level with their upper legs extended, waiting to latch onto an unsuspecting dog or human.

Try to walk in the middle of the roads. Wear light-coloured clothing treated with the insecticide permethrin. And use Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) registered insect repellents.

If you find a tick, remove it immediately. Experts said there’s no need to see a doctor unless you think the tick has been on you for days or you develop a rash or other symptoms.

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