Ticks expand into new U.S. regions, raising risk of Lyme disease and Alpha-gal allergy
Tick populations are surging across the United States, driven by climate factors and rising deer numbers, increasing the incidence of Lyme disease and the meat allergy known as Alpha-gal syndrome.
Tick activity is unusually high this summer, with health officials reporting emergency-room visits for tick bites at levels not seen in a decade. Researchers attribute the surge to a combination of a cold winter that reduced natural tick hosts and expanding populations of white-tailed deer, which serve as primary blood meals for the lone-star tick.
"The cold probably killed some of the things that they would have fed on, instead of you and me," said Holly Gaff, a mathematical ecologist at Old Dominion University. She noted that suburban expansion into forested areas creates additional habitats for ticks, allowing them to thrive near human dwellings.
While Lyme disease remains a major concern, especially in the Midwest and Northeast, the lone-star tick is spreading northward and is linked to Alpha-gal syndrome, an allergy to red meat and dairy triggered by a carbohydrate in the tick’s saliva. Not everyone develops the allergy, but the condition can be severe for those who do.
Public health experts advise people to avoid tick-infested areas, stay on cleared trails, and conduct thorough body checks after outdoor activities. Use of repellents containing DEET and clothing treated with permethrin can provide additional protection. If a tick attaches, the CDC and WHO recommend removing it with fine-point tweezers, pulling straight out without twisting, and cleaning the bite site promptly.
These measures aim to reduce the risk of both traditional tick-borne illnesses and emerging threats such as Alpha-gal syndrome as tick populations continue to expand.
