It starts subtly. Fatigue that does not lift, aches that feel like they belong to a different illness, sleep that refuses to come. Lyme disease has a reputation for mimicking other conditions, which is exactly what makes it so easy to miss and so dangerous to ignore. Left untreated, it can spread through the body and cause complications affecting the nervous system, the heart, and the joints.
And if early 2026 data is any indication, this year may be one of the worst tick seasons in recent memory.
Lyme disease numbers are already elevated this spring
In Connecticut, where the river valley town of Lyme gave the disease its name, roughly 30 ticks are being submitted for testing every single day this month. Of those, about 40 percent are coming back positive for Lyme disease. That figure reflects a level of tick activity that public health officials are taking seriously heading into what is historically the peak month for tick exposure.
Emergency department visits for tick bites in April reached their highest point since 2017, according to federal tracking data. The Northeast, Midwest, and Southeast are reporting the greatest concentration of tick bites compared to other regions across the country.
Health experts say the timing matters. Tick season is not waiting for warmer weather to settle in. People are already being bitten, and the window to take precautions is right now.
Why Lyme disease risk is growing each year
Annual Lyme disease cases in the United States are approaching 500,000, and the upward trajectory shows little sign of slowing. Several factors are fueling the rise.
Climate change is considered a leading driver. Ticks thrive in warm, humid conditions, and milder winters are allowing more of them to survive into the following year. A greater abundance of deer and mice, which ticks feed on, is also thought to be contributing to larger tick populations across affected regions.
The result is a longer, more intense tick season that is expanding into areas where ticks were once less common. Lyme disease remains the most widespread tick-borne infection in the country, but it is far from the only one, which makes tick awareness all the more important regardless of where you live.
How to protect yourself during Lyme disease season
Prevention starts before you ever step outside. Avoiding grassy or wooded areas is the safest option, but when that is not possible, a few straightforward habits can meaningfully reduce your risk.
- Stay on the center of trails rather than drifting toward the edges, where ticks are more likely to be waiting on tall grass or low brush. This applies to pets as well.
- Wear long pants and long sleeves when spending time in areas where ticks are likely to be present.
- Apply an insect repellent containing DEET or picaridin, both of which are considered safe for use by children and pregnant women.
- Check yourself and your pets thoroughly after any time outdoors, and keep in mind that some topical prevention products for animals have seen reduced effectiveness due to developing resistance.
Ticks are small and easy to miss, which is why a careful full-body check after outdoor activity is one of the most reliable tools available. The sooner a tick is found and removed, the lower the risk of infection.
Recognizing Lyme disease early
Early symptoms of Lyme disease can include a distinctive bullseye-shaped rash, fever, and fatigue. These signs often appear within days or weeks of a bite. Because the symptoms overlap with so many other conditions, many people do not immediately connect them to a tick exposure. That delay in recognition is part of what allows the disease to progress.
Anyone who develops unexplained symptoms after spending time outdoors, particularly in regions with known tick activity, should mention that outdoor exposure to a doctor. Early treatment is far more effective than addressing the infection after it has had time to spread.
The data from this spring is a clear signal. Tick season is here, it is active, and the time to take it seriously is now.
