Warmer Winters Spread Disease-Carrying Ticks Across Minnesota as Lyme Risk Expands Statewide
Updated
Updated · CBS New York · Jun 9
Warmer Winters Spread Disease-Carrying Ticks Across Minnesota as Lyme Risk Expands Statewide
2 articles · Updated · CBS New York · Jun 9
Summary
Minnesota now has deer ticks established across much of the state, up from limited pockets such as Washington and parts of Anoka counties about 20 years ago.
Milder winters are helping more ticks survive into spring, officials say, while lone star ticks from the southern U.S. are also gaining ground and bringing risks such as Alpha-gal syndrome.
Deforestation, suburban sprawl and a 20th-century boom in deer populations have increased contact among ticks, rodents, deer and people, accelerating the spread of Lyme-carrying blacklegged ticks.
Lyme disease first drew notice in Minnesota in the 1980s, and health officials say greater public awareness now also contributes to higher hospitalization counts because more people seek care sooner.