DC Emergency Rooms Report Tick Bite Increase
Emergency rooms in the D.C. area and nationally are seeing a significant increase in tick bite-related visits, with Lyme disease being a primary concern.
Ayla Demirhan ·
DC Emergency Rooms Report Tick Bite Increase Emergency rooms in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area are experiencing an increase in patients presenting with tick bites and concerns about tick-borne illnesses as of May 2026. This trend reflects a national pattern, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reporting that weekly rates of emergency room visits for tick bites are at their highest levels since 2017 across the United States.
MedStar Health's Dr. Chloe McCoy noted a rise in patients seeking care for tick bites or symptoms indicative of tick-borne diseases, such as Lyme disease. While 31 million individuals in the U.S. are bitten by ticks annually, current reports indicate higher-than-normal instances for this period. Lyme disease is the most prevalent tick-borne illness in the D.C. region, often characterized by a bull's-eye rash, though its absence does not preclude infection.
Transmission of tick-borne illnesses typically requires a tick to remain attached for 24 to 48 hours. Symptoms of Lyme disease, including rash, severe headaches, facial palsy, and heart palpitations, usually manifest within three to 30 days post-bite. The CDC advises medical attention for these symptoms, particularly after outdoor exposure in tick-prone areas. Prevention strategies include treating clothing with permethrin, using DEET-based repellents, and conducting frequent tick checks after outdoor activities to remove ticks before attachment.