The number of tick-borne illnesses in Michigan has skyrocketed over the past five years. Lyme disease, caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, is now a leading concern. Cases have jumped 168% since 2020, with 1,215 recorded cases last year alone.
Another tick-borne illness, anaplasmosis, has also seen a significant increase, with cases rising from 17 in 2020 to 82 in 2024 – almost five times that amount. Both diseases are spread by the blacklegged tick, which is well-established in parts of Michigan’s Upper and Lower Peninsulas.
Lyme disease can cause symptoms like fever, fatigue, joint pain, and a characteristic bullseye rash. If left untreated, it can lead to serious health issues such as heart problems, joint damage, and nervous system disorders.
Anaplasmosis, on the other hand, is caused by the bacterium Anaplasma phagocytophilum and can cause flu-like symptoms like fever, chills, and muscle aches. If left untreated, it can lead to more severe complications such as confusion, seizures, brain inflammation, internal bleeding, and serious breathing issues.
To protect yourself from ticks, follow these steps: avoid wooded areas where ticks live, wear long sleeves and pants, treat clothes with permethrin, and use EPA-registered bug spray on exposed skin. After coming indoors, do a full body check and try to shower within two hours to kill any ticks.
If you find a tick, remove it right away using fine-tipped tweezers and clean the bite area with antiseptic. Watch for symptoms like fever, fatigue, rash, or muscle aches and seek medical attention if necessary. Early treatment with antibiotics is key in treating both Lyme disease and anaplasmosis.
Source: https://www.wxyz.com/news/health/ask-dr-nandi/as-tick-borne-illnesses-rise-michigan-urges-residents-to-protect-themselves