These states are seeing their worst tick activity in nearly 10 years

Tick activity has reached a dangerous milestone. According to new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, emergency department visits involving tick bites have surged to their highest levels in nearly a decade.

A Alarming Spike in Activity

The latest numbers updated this Sunday reveal that 105 out of every 100,000 emergency room visits in April were attributed to tick bites. This is a significant jump, marking the highest rate for April since 2017, when the rate stood at 101 per 100,000. The trend appears to be accelerating; March 2026 saw 34 visits per 100,000, a steep climb from the 20 visits per 100,000 recorded in March 2017.

Regional Impact

No part of the country is immune, as all regions are reporting activity levels that exceed historical averages. The Northeast is currently leading the surge, recording 188 visits per 100,000 in April across states ranging from Maine down through West Virginia and Virginia—well above the region's typical April average of 144.

In the Midwest, which includes Nebraska, Kansas, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio, the rate hit 137 per 100,000 in April. That is a massive spike compared to the usual 56 per 100,000, nearly reaching the regional record of 153 set just last May. Meanwhile, the Southeast and West have also reached their highest-ever recorded incident rates for April.

Public Health Concerns

Experts warn that this is a persistent challenge. Nicole Baumgarth, a professor of immunology and infectious disease at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, noted to The Hill that annual increases in tickborne illnesses are an ongoing reality that shows no signs of slowing down.

Ticks are known vectors for serious conditions including Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, tularemia, and even a syndrome linked to red meat allergies. Furthermore, new species like the Asian Longhorned Tick are expanding their reach across the United States.

What to Watch For

Tick activity typically stays high through June, with another smaller spike expected in the fall. Health officials urge the public to be vigilant: remove any attached ticks immediately and seek medical attention if a tick has been embedded for over 24 hours or if removal is difficult.

Seek professional medical care if you develop a fever, chills, fatigue, muscle or joint pain, or a rash—especially if it displays the classic bull’s-eye pattern associated with Lyme disease. If you experience emergency symptoms such as trouble breathing, paralysis, heart palpitations, or severe headaches, head to the emergency room immediately.