‘Way worse’: Nebraska sees increase in tick activity as CDC reports rise in ER visits

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — Outdoor activities are at their peak this summer, but there’s an increased and hidden danger.

“Heavy on the bug spray this season because the mosquitoes and the ticks have just been way worse this season,” said Mickenna Shannon, a Lincoln mom of two.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, July has already seen the highest number of tick-related emergency room visits since 2017.

The Northeast is reporting the most cases, but Dr. Renuga Vivekanandan of CHI Health said she has seen a difference in Nebraska, too.

“I do see that there is a higher number of tick exposure cases in the ER this year,” she said.

SEE ALSO: Uptick in ticks: Pesky parasites are out in force in Nebraska this year

Vivekanandan said there could be multiple reasons why.

“Maybe we’re doing more outdoorsy stuff, and the weather has been more hot,” she said.

Vivekanandan said one of the most important things during tick season is noticing the symptoms, which can range from a rash to a fever and chills.

She said the biggest risk is the aftereffects a tick bite can bring, and not just for humans.

“There’s many infections that are transmitted through ticks,” she said. “There’s different types of ticks, and depending on the type, they carry different types of infection, and not only do they infect humans, but animals can get infected, too.”

Shannon said her daughters like to play outside often, so she is taking the extra precautions this year.

“The ticks, I feel like, are also worse, not only just in the amount, but I’m seeing different types of ticks,” she said. “I feel like when I was a kid there was only one type of a tick, and that was that. Especially when me and my daughter go to some of the state parks that don’t do pesticides and stuff like that, we’re noticing a wide variety of ticks on us.”