According to new CDC data, the Northeast has seen 928 tick-related ER visits per 100,000 people so far this year — a number quickly approaching 2024’s total of 1,040 per 100,000. In New Jersey alone, over 1,200 emergency room visits have already been recorded in 2025, with the majority originating from the central-eastern region of the state.
Nationwide, between January 1 and July 6, emergency rooms recorded 447 tick-related visits per 100,000 people, edging close to the 509 per 100,000 seen for all of 2024. June alone saw 116 visits per 100,000, marking the highest tick-related ER rate for that month since 2019.
What’s Behind the Tick Surge?
Experts say warmer temperatures and milder winters, conditions linked to climate change, are helping tick populations thrive and expand into new areas. According to Dr. Dennis Bente, a microbiology and immunology professor at the University of Texas Medical Branch, these environmental shifts are playing a major role in the tick boom.
Adding to concerns is the spread of the lone star tick, a particularly aggressive species identified by a white star-shaped spot on the backs of adult females. These ticks don’t just bite, their larvae move in dense groups often described as “tick bombs.”
The lone star tick is also linked to alpha-gal syndrome, a mysterious condition that causes an allergic reaction to red meat and other related products. The reaction may not appear for hours after eating and can range from mild to life-threatening. Scientists still don’t fully understand why some people develop this allergy after a tick bite while others don’t — and as of now, there’s no known cure.
When Are Ticks Most Active?
While ticks can bite year-round, they’re most active from spring through early fall, making this summer a high-risk period for outdoor enthusiasts, pet owners, and anyone spending time in wooded or grassy areas.
The New Jersey Digest is a new jersey magazine that has chronicled daily life in the Garden State for over 10 years.