An informational card about ticks distributed by the Maine Medical Center Research Institute is seen in the woods in Freeport, Maine. Health officials nationwide and in Ohio and West Virginia are warning for a potential bad tick bite and Lyme disease season this summer. (AP Photo)
MARIETTA – People are being warned that 2026 could be a big year for tick bites and related illnesses, according to a press release from the federal Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
With Lyme Disease Awareness Month having occurred last month, the CDC is continually urging the public to take steps to protect themselves and their families from tick bites, and the serious diseases they can cause, including Lyme Disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted fever and alpha-gal syndrome, the press release said.
The CDC estimates around 31 million people are bitten by ticks in the U.S. every year and visits to emergency rooms due to tick bites are higher than usual with weekly ER visits for tick bites are the highest they have been since 2017, the CDC reported in April.
Sherry Ellem, administrative director for the Washington County Health Department in Marietta, said they track Lyme Disease.
In a report from the Washington County Health Department there have been 36 cases of Lyme Disease in Washington County between January and May 2026.
Lyme disease is a bacterial infection transmitted to humans through the bite of infected blacklegged ticks (or deer ticks).
Common symptoms include flu-like feelings and a distinct, spreading “bull’s-eye” rash. It is usually treated with antibiotics, leading to full recovery if caught early enough.
Preventing tick bites is considered the best form of protection throughout tick season. If individuals do find an attached tick, they should remove it as soon as possible, and not wait to go to the ER, the CDC press release said adding removing attached ticks within 24 hours can help prevent Lyme disease.
Ellem cited a recent report from the Ohio Department of Health stating Lyme Disease is on the rise in Ohio.
In the report written by Dr. Richard Gary and Dr. Julie Chaya, over the past 14 years, there has been a 48-fold increase in Lyme disease cases reported in Ohio with around 37 in 2010 to 1,785 in 2024. The report said in the surrounding states around Ohio there were 1,215 cases in Michigan, 250 in Indiana, 11,263 in Pennsylvania and 3,207 in West Virginia in 2024.
Amy Phelps, public information officer for the Mid-Ohio Valley Health Department, said case investigations for tick-borne illnesses are taken care of at state level.
The West Virginia Department of Health Office of Epidemiology and Prevention Services (OEPS) said on their website Lyme disease is the most common tickborne disease reported in West Virginia. The department did not have immediate numbers involving tick bites, hospitalizations or Lyme Disease numbers in Wood County when contacted Wednesday.
“Tickborne infection can cause a variety of symptoms including fever, headache, chills, myalgia, and rash,” the website said. “Most infections occur from late spring through early fall when ticks (and people and pets) are most active.”
The best way to prevent tickborne diseases is to prevent getting bitten by a tick, the website said. Using tick repellent, checking one’s body and pets for ticks, and properly removing ticks are good prevention methods, they added.
Antibiotics are effective in treating tickborne diseases and can prevent severe complications when given early in the course of infection, they said.
The Mid-Ohio Valley Health Department are telling people to make sure they are checking themselves and their pets for ticks after being outside, check clothing and any gear, and make sure to take a shower immediately after being outside, Phelps said.
“The places to check are under the arms, in and around the ears, inside belly button, back of the knees, in and around hair, between the legs, and around the waist,” she said. “You can also treat your clothes and gear with products that contain 0.5% permethrin and use EPA-registered insect repellent.”
