Emergency-room visits for tick bites in the U.S. have reached their highest seasonal level in nearly a decade [2].

This surge indicates a growing public health risk as residents increase outdoor activities during the spring and summer months. The spike in medical visits suggests a higher prevalence of tick activity or a greater frequency of human exposure to infested areas.

Data shows that emergency-room visits for tick bites rose by more than 25% in April 2026 compared to the same month in 2025 [1]. These trends are appearing nationwide, though specific spikes have been noted in the Southeast, particularly in Georgia, and the Midwest, including Kendall County, Illinois [2, 3]. Other affected regions include the Northeast, the Upper Midwest, and parts of the West [2, 3].

Public health officials from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said residents should take extra precautions [2]. Ticks typically become more active as temperatures rise, increasing the likelihood of encounters for people spending time in wooded or grassy areas [2, 3].

The scale of the issue is significant, as at least 31 million people in the U.S. are bitten by a tick every year [4]. These bites can lead to various health complications, including Lyme disease, and alpha-gal syndrome [3].

To mitigate risk, health experts said to use insect repellents and perform thorough tick checks after spending time outdoors. Early detection of a bite is critical for the effective treatment of tick-borne illnesses [3].

“Emergency-room visits for tick bites rose by more than 25% in April 2026”

The combination of a decade-high seasonal peak and a significant year-over-year increase suggests that tick populations may be expanding their geographic range or becoming more active earlier in the spring. This puts a higher seasonal strain on emergency medical services and increases the long-term burden of tick-borne illnesses on the U.S. healthcare system.