All articles tagged with #ticks
Jeremy Webb’s death was linked to tick-induced mammalian meat allergy (alpha-gal syndrome), marking the first known MMA fatality; MMA cases are rising on Australia’s east coast and in the US, with symptoms ranging from mild to deadly and often diagnosed late, prompting calls for greater awareness, testing, and prevention to avoid future fatalities.
Ticks can transmit Lyme disease and other illnesses; this explainer covers why ticks bite, how to prevent bites in yards and on hikes, the steps to safely remove a tick if bitten, yard-management tactics to reduce tick habitats, and when to seek medical care if symptoms develop.
Climate change and landscape changes are helping ticks and mosquitoes spread to new regions in the U.S., boosting the incidence of Lyme disease, babesiosis, anaplasmosis, alpha-gal syndrome, and other vector-borne illnesses. Emergency department visits for tick bites are at a multi-year high, and experts warn the trend will worsen as warming continues. Prevention via repellents, permethrin-treated clothing, reducing standing water, and other environmental tweaks is key, with vaccines and new tick-control tools in development.
A tick-borne Powassan virus is rising in the United States, especially in the Northeast and Great Lakes. It can be transmitted to humans in as little as 15 minutes after a bite, and there are no vaccines or proven medicines to prevent or treat it. Carried by groundhog, squirrel, and deer ticks, the virus can cause severe illness like encephalitis or meningitis in some cases. Prevention centers on avoiding ticks through repellents, permethrin-treated clothing, checking for ticks after outdoor exposure, and reducing tick habitats around homes.
Powassan virus, carried by ticks such as the groundhog tick, squirrel tick, and blacklegged (deer) tick, is on the rise in the United States, especially in the Northeast and Great Lakes regions. There are no vaccines or medicines to prevent or treat the infection, and the virus can be transmitted to humans in as little as 15 minutes after a tick bite. Most cases may not show symptoms, but serious outcomes can include encephalitis or meningitis. Prevention hinges on avoiding ticks, using repellents, checking for ticks after outdoor activities, and treating clothing with permethrin.
A CDC analysis of 3,000 adults across 10 states found about 24% in five states with high lone star tick activity have antibodies to alpha-gal, indicating prior tick bites and potential risk for alpha-gal syndrome (a red meat allergy). Antibodies show exposure, not disease, so not everyone will develop symptoms. The true prevalence is uncertain, and cases are not nationally notifiable; ticks and affected areas may expand as deer move and winters warm. Symptoms typically appear hours after eating red meat, and the condition is lifelong once developed.
Viral tick-removal hacks on TikTok (such as Vaseline, nail polish, or lighting a match) can increase infection risk. Health experts advise removing ticks with fine-tipped tweezers placed as close to the skin as possible, pulling straight out without twisting, disposing of the tick, cleaning the bite area, and monitoring for 30 days for rashes or fever. Prevention includes EPA-registered repellents and permethrin-treated clothing; seek medical care if a bull’s-eye rash or symptoms develop.
A rare tick-borne virus called Powassan has reached a record number of U.S. cases (76 in 2025). The virus can be transmitted by ticks in as little as 15 minutes, can progress to severe neurological illness, and there are no vaccines or specific treatments—only supportive care. Most at risk are children, older adults, and immunocompromised individuals, making prevention through tick avoidance essential.
Researchers are pursuing preventive tools—Lyme vaccines, injectable antibodies, and human-ready oral pills—to curb the rising threat of tick-borne diseases in New England and beyond.
Tick season is intensifying as ER visits for tick bites surge to decade-high levels and Powassan virus spreads in deer ticks, while Pfizer and Valneva advance a four-dose Lyme disease vaccine toward regulatory approval with about 75% efficacy in reducing cases.
Vermont is seeing a rising Lyme disease risk as ticks expand northward and stay active longer, influenced by climate change and increased outdoor recreation. State surveillance has collected about 25,000 ticks over a decade, with 51% of tested deer ticks positive for Lyme from 2020–2024; in 2025 Vermont reported 2,246 Lyme cases, the second-highest rate in the U.S. Prevention tips include permethrin-treated clothing, checking and showering after outdoor time, and consulting a clinician about antibiotics after a bite. Vermonters can mail ticks for free identification, and Alpha-gal syndrome is rare in the state.
Powassan virus, a rare tick-borne illness transmitted by deer ticks, has been detected in a Maine resident in Penobscot County—the state’s first case this year—as tick activity rises to its highest levels in about a decade. Powassan remains rare and has no vaccine; severe infections can inflame the brain or spinal cord and cause long-term problems, with roughly 40 Maine cases recorded since 2000.
A Homes & Gardens sponsored piece argues that installing an Amazon owl nest box can help reduce yard tick populations by attracting owls that prey on rodents (tick hosts). The cedar nest box is sized for small-to-medium owls (about 9–11 inches), features a slanted roof and ventilation for weather and airflow, and comes with hardware for easy mounting. It’s currently discounted around $23.99, with reviewers praising its quality, though some note minor pre-drilled hole discrepancies. Used alongside mowing and other tick-prevention measures, the box is pitched as an easy, lasting way to support local wildlife and curb ticks in gardens.
Powassan virus, carried by deer ticks, poses a deadly but rare risk in north‑central Minnesota, with Gull Lake highlighted as a high‑risk area as tick season peaks in late spring and early summer. Diagnostics can be tricky and the virus can cause severe neurological damage; there is no treatment. Prevention measures—such as wearing long clothing, using effective repellents, and applying permethrin—are emphasized, especially given historical and recent case data showing variability in Powassan incidence across the region.
North-Central Minnesota is seeing rising tick activity linked to Powassan virus, a rare but potentially deadly brain infection with no specific treatment. The Gull Lake region has longstanding tick-borne risk, and health officials note Powassan is present in a small percentage of deer ticks, with diagnostics often challenging. Minnesota’s cases have fluctuated, peaking in 2024, and a 2023 case near Gull Lake resulted in death, underscoring the seriousness. Preventive measures are emphasized: wear long clothing, use EPA-registered repellents (including permethrin-treated gear), and thoroughly check for ticks (including tiny nymphs) after outdoor activities, especially from late May to mid-July. Families like the Johannsens are raising awareness and taking steps to protect their property and neighbors.)