Emergency room visits for tick bites in April 2026 were up by almost double over those reported in April 2025. File Photo courtesy of CDC
Emergency room visits for tick bites climbed in April compared to the same month last year, a sign that tick activity is ramping up as millions of people head outdoors for yard work, hiking, camping and sports.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Emergency Department Tick Bites by Month data, emergency room visits for tick bites hit 105 cases in April, compared to 68 cases in April 2025. That marks a roughly 54 increase from the same period last year.
Most tick bite cases were reported in the Northeast, with 80 cases, followed by the Midwest, with 56 cases, according to the CDC data. Both regions include areas where tick-borne illnesses such as Lyme disease are a recurring concern during the warmer months.
The rise comes before the typical early-season peak. Last year, ER visits for tick bites topped out in May with 129 visits, meaning this year's April total is already nearing the level seen during the peak month of 2025.
