Trending Now - Rising Tick Bites Spark Health Warnings and New Tracking Efforts

WHO:

Yahoo - Nicole Baumgarth, a professor of immunology and infectious disease at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, is involved in the research on tick-borne illnesses.

Inquirer.com - Eli Steiker-Ginzberg, a public information officer for Pennsylvania’s health department, is involved in tracking alpha-gal syndrome cases.

WHAT:

Yahoo - Emergency room visits for tick bites were the highest recorded in April since 2017.

USA Today - An estimated 476,000 people receive treatment for Lyme disease each year in the U.S.

Inquirer.com - Pennsylvania health officials reported about 600 cases of alpha-gal syndrome in the last two years based on voluntary reports.

Inquirer.com - New Jersey recorded just under 500 cases of alpha-gal syndrome in 2025.

WHERE:

Yahoo - The increase in emergency room visits for tick bites was noted across all regions of the U.S., except the south-central United States.

USA Today - The Northeast states are experiencing the largest increase in tick-related emergency room visits.

Inquirer.com - Pennsylvania regularly ranks number one in the nation for reported Lyme disease cases.

WHEN:

Inquirer.com - The first documented death from alpha-gal syndrome was reported in New Jersey in 2024.

Inquirer.com - Pennsylvania began asking testing labs to report alpha-gal syndrome in February.

WHY:

Yahoo - Climate change is believed to be affecting tick populations, allowing them to survive further north and thrive after mild winters.

Inquirer.com - The expansion of lone star ticks is attributed to forest regrowth, climate change, and growing deer populations.

HOW:

Yahoo - The CDC recommends avoiding grassy, bushy, or wooded areas, treating clothing with permethrin, using insect repellents, and performing tick checks after being outdoors.

Inquirer.com - Pennsylvania is launching new tracking efforts for alpha-gal syndrome and is asking testing labs to submit voluntary positive reports of cases.

(UPDATED May 17, 2026 23:14 UTC)

Research on tick-borne illnesses is being led by Nicole Baumgarth, a professor at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, while Eli Steiker-Ginzberg from Pennsylvania’s health department is tracking cases of alpha-gal syndrome. Emergency room visits for tick bites hit their highest levels in April since 2017, particularly in the Northeast, where Pennsylvania continues to report the most Lyme disease cases, with an estimated 476,000 people treated for the illness annually in the U.S. In response to the rising concerns, Pennsylvania is enhancing its tracking of alpha-gal syndrome cases, asking testing labs to report positive findings, as climate change and the expansion of lone star ticks contribute to these health challenges.