Expanding Tick Populations: Why Experts Warn of Increased Lyme Disease Risks This Season

Northeastern United States, Midwestern United States, Southern United States, Great Plains United States of America
20-30% of blacklegged tick nymphs emerging this spring and summer carry Lyme disease bacteria.
Avoid wooded areas and grassy properties near woodlands, walk in the middle of paths, wear light-colored and permethrin-treated clothing, use EPA-registered insect repellents to prevent tick bites.
Blacklegged tick population has been expanding for decades and is found in large portions of the US.
Common blacklegged ticks, or deer ticks, are of concern due to their ability to spread Lyme disease.
Lyme disease causes fever, headache, fatigue, and a bull's-eye rash. Nearly half a million cases reported annually in the US.
Mild winters and favorable conditions contribute to larger tick populations. Very cold, dry winters can reduce their numbers.
Remove ticks with tweezers as soon as possible to reduce risk of infection. See a doctor for antibiotic treatment if symptoms such as fever, headache, fatigue or bull's-eye rash appear after a tick bite.
Tick season is in full swing across the US with experts warning of increased tick populations.
Expanding Tick Populations: Why Experts Warn of Increased Lyme Disease Risks This Season

Tick season is in full swing across the United States, and experts are warning that the tick population may be as plentiful as ever. With warmer weather and favorable conditions, ticks are expanding their range and increasing in number. The common blacklegged tick, also known as the deer tick, is of particular concern due to its ability to spread Lyme disease.

Lyme disease is a bacterial infection that can cause fever, headache, fatigue, and a bull's-eye rash. Nearly half a million cases are reported annually in the US. The blacklegged tick population has been expanding for at least four decades and is found in large portions of the United States.

Mild winters and other favorable factors contribute to larger tick populations, while very cold, dry winters can reduce their numbers. Researchers estimate that 20-30% of blacklegged tick nymphs emerging this spring and summer will carry the bacteria that causes Lyme disease.

To avoid tick bites, it's recommended to avoid wooded areas and grassy properties near woodlands, walk in the middle of paths, wear light-colored and permethrin-treated clothing, and use EPA-registered insect repellents. When checking for ticks after coming indoors, common spots include around the waist, behind the knees, between fingers and toes, on underarms, in the belly button, and around the neck or hairline.

Experts advise removing ticks with tweezers as soon as possible to reduce the risk of infection. If you develop symptoms such as fever, headache, fatigue or a bull's-eye rash after a tick bite, see a doctor for antibiotic treatment.


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Confidence

100%

No Doubts Found At Time Of Publication

Sources

99%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Tick season has arrived. Protect yourself with these tips

The Associated Press News Site (USA) Friday, 17 May 2024 14:10
  • Unique Points
    • Approximately 20-30% of blacklegged tick nymphs carry bacteria that causes Lyme disease.
    • Tick season has started and experts warn it may be as plentiful as ever.
    • Blacklegged ticks, which spread Lyme disease, are among the most common ticks in the eastern half of the US.
  • Accuracy
    No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (95%)
    No formal fallacies found. There are some inflammatory rhetorical statements such as 'It's very bad and has only been getting worse' and 'This is an epidemic in slow motion'. Additionally, there are appeals to authority throughout the article from various researchers and experts.
    • It's very bad and has only been getting worse
    • This is an epidemic in slow motion
    • Very cold, dry winters can whittle down tick populations, but recent winters have been mild – a trend some attribute to climate change.
    • In Wisconsin, adult ticks were out longer than usual due to a mild winter.
    • It will be as bad as last year, or worse.
    • About 20% to 30% of the blacklegged tick nymphs that emerge in the Northeast and Midwest this spring and into summer will be carrying the bacteria that causes Lyme disease.
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

98%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Tick sightings on the rise in Bay Area and Northern California

SFGate Amanda Bartlett Wednesday, 15 May 2024 17:15
  • Unique Points
    • Tick season has arrived in the Bay Area and Northern California, thanks to the deluge of late spring rains.
    • Nymph season, when ticks are developed from larvae but not yet adults, started in February and is expected to last longer due to the moisture and freshly grown grasses.
    • Tick season usually runs from May through July, but may extend to August or September this year.
    • The population of ticks has been steadily growing over the past decade.
    • Only one tick species found in Northern California can transmit Lyme disease: the Western blacklegged tick. It has an orange-tinged, harder shell and is smaller than the common dog tick.
    • To remove a tick, use pointy-nosed or fine-tipped tweezers to grasp it as close to the surface of the skin as possible and pull upward with steady, even pressure.
    • Tick encounters decrease in fall due to hotter and drier weather during fire season, but ticks can be found year-round in California.
  • Accuracy
    No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (95%)
    The article contains some instances of appeals to authority and inflammatory rhetoric, but no formal or dichotomous fallacies were found. The author quotes Linda Giampa, executive director of the Bay Area Lyme Foundation, multiple times to establish her expertise on the topic of ticks and tick-borne diseases. This is an appeal to authority as the author relies on Giampa's knowledge and credibility to support her claims about tick season and population growth. Additionally, phrases like 'big year' for ticks, 'rampant', and 'pretty much everywhere' create a sense of urgency and fear around the topic. These are examples of inflammatory rhetoric that may sway readers emotionally but do not provide any logical fallacies.
    • Aerial view of the East Bay hills in spring with green grass, from Tilden Regional Park in Orinda, Calif., on March 22, 2024. Tick season has arrived...
    • They're pretty much everywhere.
    • If you're hiking or going out to a regional park, stick to drier areas and stay on trails.
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

99%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

RochesterFirst

Rochester First News Oran Spitzer Thursday, 16 May 2024 18:12
  • Unique Points
    • Joellen Lampman of New York State Pest Management Program at Cornell states that there are now five types of ticks in New York compared to three a decade ago.
    • The five types of ticks are: Black Legged tick, American dog tick, Gulf Coast tick, Lonestar tick.
    • Black Legged tick is known for spreading Lyme disease.
    • American dog ticket is larger than other ticks.
    • Gulf Coast tick is currently Downstate but experts expect a spread.
    • Lonestar tick primarily affects Downstate populations and can cause people to become allergic to red meat due to a unique component in its saliva.
  • Accuracy
    No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (95%)
    The author makes several statements that are true and provide valuable information to the reader. However, there are a few instances of inflammatory rhetoric and an appeal to authority. The author states 'One tick can cause a whole lotta damage' which is an example of exaggeration or hyperbole, an informal fallacy. Additionally, the author quotes Joellen Lampman stating 'There’s something in their saliva that can cause people to become allergic to red meat' which is an appeal to authority as the author does not provide any evidence or explanation for this claim beyond what was stated by Lampman.
    • 'One tick can cause a whole lotta damage'
    • 'There’s something in their saliva that can cause people to become allergic to red meat'
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

99%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Summer is tick season, but these tips can help you avoid the bloodsucking bugs

Fox News Channel Associated Press Saturday, 18 May 2024 00:05
  • Unique Points
    • Tick season is starting across the US and experts warn it may be as plentiful as ever.
    • Nearly half a million Lyme disease infections happen annually in the US.
    • Blacklegged ticks, also known as deer ticks, are among the most common ticks in the eastern half of the US and spread Lyme disease.
    • Tick populations cycle throughout the year and depend on factors such as warm, humid weather and availability of deer and mice.
    • The blacklegged tick population has been expanding for at least four decades.
    • Mild winters can contribute to larger tick populations due to increased survival rates.
    • Lyme disease symptoms include fever, headache, fatigue and a bull’s-eye rash that appears three to 30 days after a bite.
    • To avoid tick bites, take steps such as avoiding wooded areas and grassy properties where ticks tend to perch, wearing permethrin-treated clothing and using EPA-registered insect repellents.
    • Check for ticks upon returning indoors, focusing on common areas such as around the waist, behind the knees, between fingers and toes, on underarms, in the belly button and around the neck or hairline.
  • Accuracy
    No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

98%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Tick season has arrived. Protect yourself with these tips

MedicalXpress Mike Stobbe Saturday, 18 May 2024 00:07
  • Unique Points
    • Tick season has started across the US and experts warn that the 2024 tick population may be as plentiful as last year or larger.
    • Increasing varieties of ticks are expanding into new geographical areas, bringing unusual diseases.
    • The common blacklegged tick, found mainly in forests, is the most dangerous for spreading Lyme disease. Nearly half a million Lyme disease infections happen annually in the US.
    • Blacklegged ticks (deer ticks) have expanded their population for at least four decades and are found in large portions of the United States.
    • Mild winters and other favorable factors contribute to larger tick populations.
    • Very cold, dry winters can reduce tick populations, but recent winters have been mild but wet, which can increase tick activity.
    • Researchers estimate that 20% to 30% of the blacklegged tick nymphs emerging in the Northeast and Midwest this spring and summer will carry the bacteria that causes Lyme disease.
    • Lyme disease symptoms include fever, headache, fatigue, and a bull’s-eye rash. If you develop these symptoms after a tick bite, see a doctor for antibiotic treatment.
    • To avoid tick bites, avoid wooded areas and grassy properties near woodlands; walk in the middle of paths; wear light-colored and permethrin-treated clothing; and use EPA-registered insect repellents.
    • When checking for ticks after coming indoors, common spots include around the waist, behind the knees, between fingers and toes, on underarms, in the belly button, and around the neck or hairline. Remove ticks with tweezers.
  • Accuracy
    No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (90%)
    No formal fallacies found in the article. However, there are several instances of inflammatory rhetoric and appeals to authority. The use of phrases like 'very bad and has only been getting worse', 'It's an epidemic in slow motion', and excessive quoting of experts without providing counterarguments can be seen as sensationalist.
    • It's very bad and has only been getting worse,
    • This is an epidemic in slow motion
    • An increasing variety of ticks are pushing into new geographical areas, bringing unusual diseases. Exotic southern species like the Gulf Coast tick and the lone star tick are being detected in New York and other northern states, for example.
    • Researcher Erik Foster uses a microscope to examine a tick in his laboratory during a tour of the Center for Disease Control laboratory Thursday, April 4, 2024, in Fort Collins, Colo. Credit: AP Photo/David Zalubowski
    • In Wisconsin, adult ticks were out longer than usual due to a mild winter. The tick nymphs are starting to emerge, and a wet spring is setting the stage for the possibility that the population will be robust
    • Saravanan Thangamani, who studies ticks and tickborne diseases at SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse:
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication