Tick bites have reached record levels in the United States this summer, with emergency rooms seeing a significant spike. Children under 10 and elderly adults over 70 are most vulnerable to tick-borne illnesses.
According to new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), July has already seen the highest number of tick-related ER visits since 2017. The Northeast region is reporting the most cases, while climate change may be contributing to the increase in tick activity.
The CDC warns that ticks can transmit various diseases through their bites, such as Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, which share similar symptoms like fever, chills, headaches, fatigue, and muscle aches. Health officials are advising people to take precautions when outdoors, particularly in wooded areas with high grass and leaf litter.
To prevent tick-borne illnesses, the CDC recommends avoiding these areas, using EPA-registered insect repellents containing DEET or Picaridin, treating outdoor clothing with permethrin, and applying sunscreen first before insect repellent. Health officials stress that no area is immune to tick activity, making prevention crucial this summer.
Source: https://abcnews.go.com/Health/er-visits-tick-bites-record-levels-summer-us/story?id=123538886