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Tick Bites

All articles tagged with #tick bites

Bourbon virus reappears in New York, spotlighting diagnostic gaps amid tick season
health1 month ago

Bourbon virus reappears in New York, spotlighting diagnostic gaps amid tick season

A Stony Brook–led study confirms Bourbon virus cases in New York linked to lone star ticks, with antibodies detected in some patients. First identified in 2014 and associated with severe illness, the virus has no commercial test, vaccine, or targeted treatment, making diagnosis difficult and often leading to misattribution (e.g., Lyme disease). The findings come as tick bites and related ER visits rise nationwide, underscoring the need for better diagnostics and awareness of tick-borne threats.

via BBC Wildlife Magazine|
#bourbon-virus#diagnostic-challenges#health
Tick bites can trigger a meat allergy: understanding alpha-gal syndrome
health1 month ago

Tick bites can trigger a meat allergy: understanding alpha-gal syndrome

Alpha-gal syndrome is a tick-bite–triggered allergy to a sugar in most mammal tissues, meaning that after a tick bite, eating meat (and some other animal products) can trigger symptoms like hives, nausea or more severe reactions, with onset often 2–6 hours later. The Lone Star Tick is a primary carrier in the U.S., though other ticks can cause it. There’s no cure; testing is increasingly available. Prevention focuses on avoiding tick bites via protective clothing, repellents, yard maintenance, and routine tick checks, and Michigan health officials warn the risk may grow as tick populations expand.

via ClickOnDetroit | WDIV Local 4|
#alpha-gal-syndrome#health#lone-star-tick
Early tick surge expands across the U.S. as warming reshapes habitats
health1 month ago

Early tick surge expands across the U.S. as warming reshapes habitats

Emergency room visits for tick bites began rising in March and remained high through April–June 2026, with the surge linked to warmer temperatures that are expanding tick habitats. Ticks can transmit diseases such as Lyme and Alpha-gal syndrome; prevention includes removing ticks quickly (within 24 hours), using permethrin on clothing and skin repellents, wearing long, light-colored clothing, and checking pets and yourself after outdoor time. The Northeast and Midwest bear most cases, but tick ranges are broadening and risk remains nonzero even in familiar areas.

via Salina Post|
#alpha-gal-syndrome#climate-change#health
Tick bites spark a life-threatening meat allergy: alpha-gal syndrome
health2 months ago

Tick bites spark a life-threatening meat allergy: alpha-gal syndrome

Alpha-gal syndrome is a potentially life‑threatening meat allergy triggered by lone star tick bites, causing delayed reactions after eating mammal meats while seafood and poultry are safe. About 450,000 Americans are affected as the lone star tick’s range expands. The allergy results from antibodies to the alpha-gal sugar introduced by bites; diagnosis combines symptoms with a blood test, though tests can yield false positives. Management typically involves avoiding mammal meats (and sometimes dairy) and carrying an epinephrine injector. In 2024 the FDA approved Xolair to reduce severe reactions, with ongoing research into additional therapies; some patients may outgrow the condition after years, but avoiding new tick bites remains crucial.

via KSL News|
#alpha-gal-syndrome#health#lone-star-tick
Tick bites can trigger a rare meat allergy: alpha-gal syndrome explained
health2 months ago

Tick bites can trigger a rare meat allergy: alpha-gal syndrome explained

Alpha-gal syndrome is a life-threatening meat allergy linked to tick bites, especially from the lone star tick, estimated to affect about 450,000 Americans. Symptoms typically appear hours after consuming mammal meat or dairy, and diagnosis relies on symptoms plus blood tests that can yield false positives. Management centers on avoiding beef, pork, and lamb, carrying an epinephrine injector, and, in 2024, FDA-approved Xolair to reduce severe reactions; some patients may outgrow the allergy over years, while researchers are exploring additional therapies and considerations like GalSafe pig meat and certain medical implants.

via NBC Boston|
#alpha-gal-syndrome#health#lone-star-tick
Tick Bite ER Visits Surge as Climate Shifts in Southern Illinois
health2 months ago

Tick Bite ER Visits Surge as Climate Shifts in Southern Illinois

ER visits for tick bites are at their highest since 2017, driven by milder winters and changing weather that allow ticks to thrive earlier. The Lone Star tick is highlighted as an aggressive biter, and ticks can carry diseases such as Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and alpha-gal syndrome. Lyme disease affects an estimated 476,000 people treated annually in the U.S. Prevention tips include using EPA-registered repellents, wearing long sleeves and pants in wooded areas, performing full-body tick checks after outdoors, checking children and pets, and showering soon after coming indoors; more details are available from the Southern Seven Health Department on Facebook.

via West Kentucky Star|
#cdc#health#lyme-disease
ER Tick-Bite Surge Signals Widening Lyme Disease Threat
health2 months ago

ER Tick-Bite Surge Signals Widening Lyme Disease Threat

CDC data show April 2026 tick-bite ER visits rose to about 71 per 100,000—more than double the historical average of 30—marking the highest seasonal level in years and highest among children under 10 and adults 70–79. The surge coincides with expanding ranges of the blacklegged and lone star ticks, driven by warmer, wetter conditions and deer/mouse hosts, raising risk for Lyme disease and other infections (anaplasmosis, ehrlichiosis, babesiosis, Powassan virus). There are no vaccines for tick-borne diseases in the U.S.; prevention emphasizes repellents, permethrin-treated clothing, tick checks, prompt removal, and showering after outdoors exposure.

via Fox News|
#cdc-tick-bite-tracker#climate-change#health
Berkshire Tick Season Sparks Urgent-Care Surge and Alpha-gal Syndrome Cases
local-news2 months ago

Berkshire Tick Season Sparks Urgent-Care Surge and Alpha-gal Syndrome Cases

Warmer Berkshire weather is driving more tick activity, with Berkshire Health Systems’ urgent-care centers reporting a rise in tick-related visits and two Alpha-gal syndrome cases linked to Lone Star ticks. Health officials note climate-driven shifts in tick populations and emphasize prevention: treat clothing with permethrin, perform frequent body checks after outdoors activities, run clothes through a hot dryer, and use a tick spoon for removal. Most bites don’t require ER care, but consult a nurse hotline or urgent care if unsure.

via The Berkshire Eagle|
#alpha-gal-syndrome#berkshire-health-systems#local-news
Tick season poised to break records as bite numbers climb nationwide
health3 months ago

Tick season poised to break records as bite numbers climb nationwide

CDC data suggest this year’s tick season could be the worst in years, with tick-bite ER visits running higher than average across most U.S. regions in 2026 and the Northeast leading; about 114 visits per 100,000 in late April. Roughly 31 million Americans are bitten annually and around 476,000 are treated for Lyme disease. Experts attribute factors like milder winters, earlier springs, snow insulation for ticks, and variable acorn mast years that boost wildlife hosts, which can fuel tick populations and disease. Prevention and tick checks are essential.

via USA Today|
#cdc#health#lyme-disease
Tick-bite surge hits DC-area ERs as Lyme risk grows
health3 months ago

Tick-bite surge hits DC-area ERs as Lyme risk grows

CDC reports tick bites are up this year and DC-area ERs are seeing a rise in tick-bite patients; Lyme disease is the most common local tick illness and can develop after a tick has been attached for 24–48 hours, with prevention focusing on permethrin-treated clothing, DEET repellents, and regular tick checks, plus medical care if you develop symptoms like an expanding rash or severe headache after outdoor exposure.

via WTOP|
#cdc#emergency-rooms#health
Early Spring Tick Surge Pushes ERs Toward Spike in Bites
health3 months ago

Early Spring Tick Surge Pushes ERs Toward Spike in Bites

A CDC tick-bite tracker shows an early, larger-than-usual surge in emergency department visits across the U.S., rising from 28 to 114 bite-related visits per 100,000 between March and April as warmer spring weather expands tick activity and ranges. Tick-borne illness risk is driven by the black-legged tick (Lyme disease) and the lone star tick (red meat allergy), with spread into new areas. Most bites don’t require ED care; prompt tick removal is advised and doctors may treat suspected infections with doxycycline before tests return. Tick season generally runs March through October, peaking in late May, with about 31 million bites annually and Lyme disease affecting roughly 476,000 people each year.

via The Washington Post|
#cdc-data#health#lyme-disease
CDC Warns of Tick Bite Surge as ER Visits Increase This Season
health4 months ago

CDC Warns of Tick Bite Surge as ER Visits Increase This Season

The CDC reports an unusually high number of ER visits for tick bites across the U.S., with the Northeast seeing the strongest rise—the highest rate for this season since 2017. Officials urge precautions like wearing protective clothing, sticking to trail centers, and performing tick checks after outdoor activities to prevent Lyme disease, which can have serious consequences. Connecticut labs also show around 40% of ticks tested are Lyme-positive, highlighting the importance of prevention.

via WJAR|
#cdc#er-visits#health
Tick Bites Drive Northeast ER Visits to Decade-High, CDC Data Show
health4 months ago

Tick Bites Drive Northeast ER Visits to Decade-High, CDC Data Show

CDC data show emergency room visits for tick-related complaints are climbing nationwide, with the Northeast at 163 per 100,000 visits (up from 52) and the national rate at 71 per 100,000—the highest in about a decade. Health officials point to earlier tick activity and greater awareness contributing to the rise; Connecticut is seeing rising Lyme disease cases, and the report notes risk from multiple tick-borne illnesses. Preventive steps include avoiding high-risk outdoor areas, using EPA-registered repellents, treating clothing with permethrin, wearing protective clothing, performing full-body tick checks, showering after outdoor time, and reducing tick habitat around home.

via Patch|
#cdc-data#er-visits#health