Deadly Tick Season Threatens New Yorkers as Cases Quadruple

New York health officials are issuing urgent warnings about a potentially deadly tick season that’s already breaking records in 2025. With emergency room visits for tick bites reaching unprecedented levels and fatal outcomes becoming increasingly common, residents must take immediate action to protect themselves and their families from these disease-carrying parasites.

The alarming surge comes as CDC data reveals tick-borne diseases have quadrupled over the past two decades, transforming what was once a minor health concern into a major public health crisis affecting thousands of New Yorkers annually.

Record-Breaking Start to 2025 Tick Season

May 2025 has already shattered previous records for tick-related emergency room visits across New York and the Northeast. According to recent reports, the first week of May alone triggered early warnings from health officials tracking tick-borne illnesses.

“This year is shaping up to be a ‘hot year for ticks,'” warns Thomas Hart of Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, as reported by AccuWeather. The combination of climate change, warmer temperatures, and increased outdoor activities has created perfect conditions for tick populations to explode.

New York’s High-Risk Zones Identified

The New York City Health Department’s latest surveillance data reveals that disease-carrying ticks are primarily found on Staten Island and in the North Bronx, with significant populations throughout the Hudson Valley and upstate regions.

In 2024, New York City alone reported 2,832 preliminary cases of Lyme disease among residents, with 1,801 being new diagnoses. Acting Health Commissioner Dr. Michelle Morse emphasized the urgency: “As the weather warms and New Yorkers spend time outdoors, they should take precautions to prevent tick bites and reduce the risk of tick-borne illness.”

Fatal Diseases Carried by New York Ticks

New York’s tick population carries multiple deadly pathogens that can cause severe, life-threatening conditions:

Blacklegged Ticks spread:

• Lyme disease
• Anaplasmosis
• Babesiosis
• Borrelia miyamotoi disease
• Powassan virus disease

Lone Star Ticks transmit:

• Ehrlichiosis
• Alpha-gal syndrome (red meat allergy)

Gulf Coast Ticks carry:

• Rickettsia parkeri rickettsiosis

Early Warning Signs That Save Lives

Recognizing tick-borne illness symptoms early can mean the difference between full recovery and chronic, debilitating health problems. Dr. Andrew Handel of Stony Brook Children’s Hospital warns that initial symptoms often mirror common viral infections, making early detection crucial.

Critical symptoms to watch for:

• Fever and chills
• Severe headaches
• Muscle aches and joint pain
• Fatigue and weakness
• Characteristic bullseye rash (appears in only some cases)

“Early symptoms of Lyme disease, unfortunately, are going to look a lot like the flu,” Hart explains. The window for effective antibiotic treatment closes rapidly, making immediate medical attention essential when symptoms appear after outdoor exposure.

Life-Saving Prevention Strategies

Before Going Outdoors:

• Use EPA-registered repellents containing DEET, picaridin, or IR3535
• Treat clothing with permethrin products
• Wear light-colored clothing to spot ticks easily
• Tuck pants into socks and shirts into pants

During Outdoor Activities:

• Stay in the center of cleared paths and hiking trails
• Avoid brushing against vegetation
• Keep away from leaf piles and tall grass areas

After Outdoor Exposure:

• Conduct thorough body checks within two hours
• Pay special attention to scalp, ears, underarms, waist, and behind knees
• Shower or bathe as soon as possible
• Put dry clothing in dryer on high heat for 10 minutes

Proper Tick Removal Techniques

If you find an attached tick, proper removal is critical. Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible, then pull straight up with steady pressure. Clean the bite area and your hands with rubbing alcohol or soap and water.

Wildlife experts at Sweetbriar Nature Center suggest an alternative method: “You can take a lint roller and roll your body, and the ticks come right off on it.” Save the tick in a container to bring to your healthcare provider for identification.

Climate Change Fuels Tick Expansion

The NYC Health Department notes that climate change is contributing to longer warm seasons, creating conditions that influence tick populations and expand their geographic range. Earlier springs, hotter summers, and milder winters allow ticks to emerge sooner and survive longer, increasing disease transmission risks.

Protecting Your Pets and Property

Ticks don’t just threaten humans—they pose serious risks to pets and can travel into homes on animals. Consult your veterinarian about appropriate flea and tick repellents for your pets. Create tick-safe zones around your property by:

• Keeping grass short
• Removing leaf piles and brush
• Trimming shrubs and tree branches
• Creating barriers between wooded areas and recreational spaces
• Placing Code Playground equipment in sunny locations

When to Seek Emergency Medical Care

Don’t wait if you develop symptoms after potential tick exposure. The CDC estimates 500,000 people will contract Lyme disease this year, and early treatment dramatically improves outcomes.

Seek immediate medical attention if you experience fever, rash, or flu-like symptoms within weeks of outdoor activities, even without remembering a tick bite. Healthcare providers can assess risk factors and initiate appropriate testing or preventive treatment when indicated.

Take Action Now to Protect Your Family

With tick-borne diseases quadrupling over two decades and 2025 already showing record-breaking activity, the time for action is now. Don’t let a tick make you or your loved ones sick. Implement these prevention strategies before your next outdoor adventure, and remember—early detection and treatment can save your life.

Stay informed about tick activity in your area, educate your family about prevention techniques, and never hesitate to seek medical attention if you suspect tick-borne illness. Your vigilance today could prevent a lifetime of health complications tomorrow.