Tick Season: Early and Harsh

0:00Tick season is hitting hard and early this year, folks. Emergency room visits for TIG bites are the highest they've been this time of year since 2017, across most of the country, except the South Central States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention just dropped an advisory urging everyone to stay on guard now, not waiting for the usual May spike. Experts like CDC Lime Specialist Allison Hinckley say the data shows Ticks are out there biting already, and with more exposures, come more risks of infections. Warmer winters in humid weather from climate shifts are boosting tick numbers along with plenty of deer and mice for them to feed on before turning to us. People are feeling the impact, especially in tick hot spots like Connecticut, where Lyme disease got its name. Residents there are sending in about 30 ticks a day for testing, and a whopping 40% are testing positive for the Lyme bacteria away. Higher than usual, thanks to a mouse population boom over the last two years.

1:00Researchers expect things to ramp up as tiny nymph ticks emerge soon. They're sneaky, harder to spot, and stick around longer, upping infection, chances. Diseases from ticks include Lyme, the most common hitting about 476,000 folks yearly, plus Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and even a red meat allergy called AlphaGal syndrome. So gear up before heading outdoors, stick to trail centers, rock light color per method and treated clothes, slap on EPA-approved repellents, and yank. Off any ticks right away, no need for a dock unless symptoms like rashes pop up, stay vigilant and keep those bites at bay. Canada News today, powered by AI, bringing you what matters.