Ohio health officials warn of surge in ticks and Lyme disease cases
Updated
Updated · Spectrum News 1 · May 8
Ohio health officials warn of surge in ticks and Lyme disease cases
11 articles · Updated · Spectrum News 1 · May 8
The Ohio Department of Health said cases rose from 40 in 2010 to 415 in 2020 and more than 2,800 in 2025.
Director Dr Bruce Vanderhoff linked the rise to warmer temperatures, humidity and shorter extreme-cold periods, warning hikers, hunters, campers and others in wooded, brushy or grassy areas face higher risk.
Officials urged repellents, protective clothing, tick checks, prompt removal and symptom monitoring, saying early antibiotic treatment is effective and untreated Lyme disease can cause rashes, headaches, facial palsy, arthritis and heart or nerve problems.
Beyond Lyme, what hidden illnesses like the meat-allergy syndrome are ticks now spreading across Ohio?
Are personal precautions enough, or is Ohio losing a larger environmental battle against its exploding tick population?
With a new Lyme vaccine on the horizon, when could it offer real protection against Ohio's tick surge?