Ohio is seeing a dramatic surge in Lyme disease cases, with the state recording a record-breaking 2,799 confirmed cases at the end of last year, according to the Ohio Department of Health.
That number represents a significant jump from the 415 cases reported in 2020. Experts link the rise to expanding populations of the blacklegged ticks, changing deer migration patterns, and warmer winters that help ticks survive. The health department says most humans are infected through the bites of immature ticks called nymphs, which are less than two millimeters in length and difficult to see. Adult ticks can also transmit the disease, but because adult ticks are easier to see, they are more likely to be discovered and removed before they have a chance to transmit the bacteria responsible for the illness, the health department’s website states.
WATCH: Here’s how to prevent Lyme Disease:
Lyme disease cases in Ohio surge to record high, reaching 2,799 in 2025
Dr. Robert Tracy of St. Elizabeth Healthcare said early tick removal is key to prevention…