Illinois May Experience a Surge in Ticks, Raising Lyme Disease Concerns, Experts Say

CHICAGO (WLS) — Experts said Illinoisans should be aware of the increase in ticks in the state.

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“We’re sort of on the edge of an invasion,” Northwest Mosquito Abatement District Medical Entomologist Patrick Irwin said.

Irwin said of the nearly 250 square miles that he covers, almost half of the ticks they surveillance we’re positive for Lyme disease.

“When we looked at the number of ticks that we got, you know, four years ago, it was very small compared to what we’re seeing now,” Irwin said.

A recent research conducted by the University of Illinois indicates several counties are now observing three varieties of ticks: the lone star tick, the dog tick, and the black-legged tick.

“I’ve noticed that lone star ticks and even gulf coast ticks, which have typically been species we see in the south, are gradually moving their habitats northward to areas where we haven’t previously encountered them,” mentioned Jennifer Rydzewski from the Forest Preserve District Of DuPage County.

According to Becky Smith, Associate Professor of Epidemiology at the University of Illinois, they documented over 1,700 human cases of Lyme disease infections between 2018 and 2022.

“Deer play a significant role,” Smith explained. “Deer provide an abundant blood source, allowing ticks to lay numerous eggs, which leads to a larger population of young ticks, and consequently, we see more ticks overall.”

Smith predicted that Illinois may witness an increase in tick-borne diseases. She believes while halting the arrival of ticks may not be feasible, preventing the diseases they carry is possible.

“The disease occurs when ticks bite people, and the ticks are not detected and removed before the disease is transmitted,” Smith stated.

Experts say people don’t need to avoid going camping or hunting, where most of the infections happen.

Those who are going to spend time outdoors should wear extra-long pants, use permethrin spray and shower when going back indoors and do a thorough tick check.

The experts added that if a tick does get embedded in the skin, it takes about 24 hours before a disease gets transmitted.