This summer, emergency rooms across the U.S. — especially in the Northeast and Midwest — are seeing a record-breaking surge in tick-related visits. In fact, July 2025 has seen more ER trips for tick bites than any July in the past eight years, according to the CDC.
Dr. Matt Harris, an emergency physician and camp doctor in upstate New York, says he’s pulling a dozen ticks a day off campers — far more than usual. And it’s not just camps. Hospitals are reporting similar upticks in tick encounters, often from people rushing in before the ticks have even fully latched on.
So, what’s behind this tick explosion?
Experts say a combination of factors is to blame. Warmer temperatures and higher humidity have extended tick season and expanded their territory into more densely populated areas. “Ticks are now showing up where people didn’t expect them,” explains entomologist Thomas Mather of the University of Rhode Island.
Children are particularly vulnerable, accounting for the highest proportion of ER visits. Their outdoor playtime puts them at a higher risk of encountering ticks in grassy or wooded areas.
The most common concern? Lyme disease is a potentially serious illness spread by black-legged deer ticks. Other tick-borne diseases include Rocky Mountain spotted fever and the emerging Heartland virus.
But don’t panic — most ER visits are precautionary, not due to symptoms. Doctors recommend prompt removal with tweezers, grasping close to the skin and pulling gently. Avoid squeezing the tick, which could increase the risk of infection.
Prevention is key: wear long sleeves, use insect repellent, and check your body after spending time outdoors. And if you find a tick? It’s not an emergency, but don’t wait too long either — early removal matters.
