Tick experts suggested that there may be a higher prevalence of Lyme disease in the warmer months of 2023 as a result of the milder winter, according to an article published in AP News. The experts explained that individuals who are bitten by ticks can be exposed to a slew of diseases—including Lyme disease, babesiosis, anaplasmosis, and Powassan virus disease from black-legged ticks; ehrlichiosis and Heartland virus disease from lone star ticks; and Rocky Mountain spotted fever from American dog ticks. Although tick season officially begins on Memorial Day, nymph-stage ticks often emerge as early as April or May after warmer winters, increasing the overall risk of individuals developing tick-related diseases. Interviewed specialists stressed that they have already received more ticks sent in for testing than in previous years, but that there are several measures individuals can take to reduce their risks, like wearing clothing containing 0.5% permethrin, applying tick repellent, avoiding tall grass and wooded areas, and checking for ticks after spending time outdoors. The experts concluded that individuals who may be uncertain of the severity of tick season should remember one rule: “Every year should be considered a bad tick year.”
July 11, 2023