# Tick bites surge nationally as season reaches peak activity  
**Published:** 2026-07-02T23:00:19.000Z  
**Source:** [Nebraska Examiner](https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2026/07/02/repub/tick-bites-are-surging-in-the-us-this-year-heres-what-to-know/)  
**AI-generated:** yes (claude-haiku-4-5-20251001)  
**Canonical:** https://lincolne.news/article/tick-bites-surge-nationally-as-season-reaches-peak-activity

Monthly emergency department visits for tick bites in April spiked to their highest level since 2017, according to reporting from the [Nebraska Examiner](https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2026/07/02/repub/tick-bites-are-surging-in-the-us-this-year-heres-what-to-know/), with experts urging the public to remain vigilant as the peak season continues through summer months.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's tick bite tracker shows elevated activity has persisted throughout May and June, while emergency room visits for tick bites began rising as early as March this year — earlier than the typical April start. The CDC estimates roughly 31 million Americans are bitten by ticks annually, mostly between April and October.

In Nebraska specifically, [established black-legged tick populations have been identified in four counties: Douglas, Sarpy, Saunders, and Thurston](https://dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/Lyme-Disease.aspx), which can transmit Lyme disease and other pathogens. Disease ecologist Pilar Fernandez of Washington State University attributed the surge partly to rising temperatures and geographic expansion of tick habitats into areas previously too cold for their survival.

An untreated tick bite can lead to one of nearly 20 different human diseases in the United States. The most common is Lyme disease, with roughly 476,000 patients treated annually. [In 2025, Nebraska recorded 15 Alpha-gal Syndrome cases through June, with nine reporting serious anaphylactic reactions](https://nsco.unl.edu/news/ticks-across-nebraska/). Other concerns include [Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, ehrlichiosis, and tularemia](https://www3.dhhs.ne.gov/Forms/HealthStatus/TabID/140/Default.aspx).

Health experts say symptoms are often generic — fever, headache, muscle aches — making diagnosis difficult if patients don't report tick exposure. Early detection is critical: ticks typically do not transmit infection until after at least 24 hours of attachment.

Experts recommend removing any discovered tick promptly with fine-tipped tweezers by pinching and pulling vertically, then disinfecting the bite area. They warn against myths like burning ticks or applying petroleum jelly. [Nebraska Extension's "Check Yourself" campaign and Tick Tag Go program collect community data to map tick species and raise awareness](https://lansing.unl.edu/pest/resources/LymeDisease.shtml).

Prevention remains the most effective strategy. The CDC recommends wearing long, light-colored clothing in tick-prone areas, using permethrin on clothing and DEET-based repellents on skin, and conducting thorough body checks after outdoor activities. [Showering within two hours of returning indoors can help wash off unattached ticks](https://nsco.unl.edu/news/ticks-across-nebraska/). Pet owners should also check dogs and cats regularly, as they can bring ticks into homes.

## Sources

- [Nebraska Examiner](https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2026/07/02/repub/tick-bites-are-surging-in-the-us-this-year-heres-what-to-know/)
- [Nebraska DHHS - Established black-legged tick populations](https://dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/Lyme-Disease.aspx)
- [Nebraska State Climate Office - Ticks Across Nebraska](https://nsco.unl.edu/news/ticks-across-nebraska/)
- [Nebraska Extension - Check Yourself campaign and tick awareness](https://lancaster.unl.edu/pest/resources/LymeDisease.shtml)

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This article was generated by AI (claude-haiku-4-5-20251001) based on source material from Nebraska Examiner, enriched with 2 web searches. The original source is available at https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2026/07/02/repub/tick-bites-are-surging-in-the-us-this-year-heres-what-to-know/.