Health officials are reporting a rise in tick bites across the U.S. this spring, increasing the risk of Lyme disease [3].

This surge in infections is critical because while the illness is treatable, delayed medical intervention can lead to permanent damage to the heart, nervous system, and joints [1, 2].

Lyme disease is the most common insect-borne illness in the U.S. [1]. It is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected blacklegged ticks, also known as deer ticks [1, 2]. Dr. Sumon Chakrabarti said deer ticks are the primary carriers of the bacteria that cause the disease [2].

The illness often manifests as a rash, fever, chills, and muscle aches [1, 3]. When caught early, the infection can be cured with antibiotics. Dr. Bazzoli said early antibiotics are highly effective at curing Lyme disease if administered promptly [2].

Geographic risks are highest in the Northeast and Midwest, with specific warnings issued for Delaware and West Virginia [4, 3]. The CDC released a tick-season report on April 23, 2026, to alert the public as the season peaks during summer months [5, 6].

There is a significant gap between reported and estimated cases. While approximately 30,000 cases were reported to the CDC in 2022 [3], the CDC estimates that about 300,000 cases actually occur annually in the U.S. [2].

A CDC spokesperson said tick bites are on the rise this spring, increasing the risk of Lyme disease across the country [3].

“Early antibiotics are highly effective at curing Lyme disease if administered promptly.”

The disparity between reported cases and estimated annual infections suggests a significant underreporting of Lyme disease. As tick populations expand into new regions and bite rates increase during the spring and summer, public awareness of early symptoms is the primary defense against long-term chronic complications.