Midwest Tick Bite ER Visits Jump to 136 in April as Season Starts Earlier
Updated
Updated · stlpr.org · Jun 15
Midwest Tick Bite ER Visits Jump to 136 in April as Season Starts Earlier
3 articles · Updated · stlpr.org · Jun 15
Summary
CDC data show 136 Midwest emergency-department visits for tick bites in April 2026, nearly double the same month last year and on pace for one of the region’s worst tick years in a decade.
Milder winters are letting ticks skip dormancy and emerge earlier, while warming habitats are helping new species expand into Missouri, Illinois and other parts of the Midwest, experts said.
Missouri, Illinois, Iowa and neighboring states logged the second-highest share of tick-related ER visits after the Northeast, and counts could rise further as summer typically brings peak tick activity.
Ticks can spread Lyme disease, alpha-gal syndrome and other illnesses, prompting experts to urge DEET, permethrin-treated clothing, yard cleanup, pet checks and quick removal with tweezers after bites.