ISLAMABAD: Tick season following a mild winter could lead to an uptick in Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses, according to scientists. Although it is hard to predict how the tick season will play out, a mild winter and early snow melt could mean that there are more ticks earlier than usual, as well as a wider spread of diseases. Connecticut has already seen a surge in the number of ticks this year, with over 1,000 submitted for testing since January 1st, making it the second-highest number in recent years. The state typically sees a high number of Lyme disease, which was named after a Connecticut town.
Infected ticks can spread bacteria, viruses, and parasites that make people sick, with Lyme disease being the most common tick-borne infection in the United States. Other illnesses that can be transmitted through tick bites include babesiosis, anaplasmosis, Powassan virus disease, ehrlichiosis, Heartland virus disease, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Ticks get infected with these germs by biting infected wildlife, usually rodents.
Tick season usually stretches from April to October, with ticks mostly dormant during the cold winter months and emerging as temperatures rise. However, they can be active on warm winter days too. Memorial Day is usually considered the start of the season, but April and May are typically lighter months. However, tiny ticks at the nymph stage, which are about the size of poppy seeds, could be active early this year, according to Dr. Bobbi Pritt of the Mayo Clinic.
How tick-borne disease will trend
While predicting how tick-borne diseases will trend is complicated, assuming that ticks will be very active and taking preventive measures is the best approach. The changing climate has positive and negative implications for ticks, as warm and wet weather is beneficial to them, but hot weather is not. The CDC recommends treating clothing with products containing 0.5% permethrin, being cautious in areas where ticks live, using repellents, doing thorough checks afterwards, and limiting exposed skin to avoid bites.
Lyme disease can cause fever, fatigue, chills, and muscle and joint pain. It is treated with antibiotic medicines, and most people recover. Left untreated, it can worsen, causing symptoms such as heart problems and debilitating pain. There is currently no Lyme vaccine available in the US for people, but one is being tested.
