BOSTON (SHNS) – Emergency departments are seeing a notable increase in patients with tick bites, and the state epidemiologist said a tick species previously eradicated in the region is now spreading again in Massachusetts.
“Patients reporting tick exposure is higher this spring and early summer than at any point during the last three years. This really suggests that tick populations are increased this year,” Dr. Catherine Brown told the Public Health Council Wednesday, as she presented available data this year through May on tick exposure and tick-borne disease visits.
“I’ve gotten a sneak peak at the June data as well, which is not quite complete, but we are still seeing a pretty significant increase in tick exposure visits to the emergency department,” Brown, who’s also the state public health veterinarian, said…