Dangerous diseases possible as ticks spread across US, experts warn

Experts are warning of an increased possibility of people contracting dangerous diseases as ticks spread across the United States.

Ben Hottel, an entomologist at Orkin, a pest control company, recently told Fox News that ticks are spreading into different regions of the United States due to some traditionally cooler areas of the country experiencing milder winters. Orkin explained that ticks prefer to live in warmer environments.

According to Fox News, ticks have been able to remain active longer than usual due to milder winters and higher temperatures and have used hosts to spread outside of traditional locations in the United States.

Fox News reported that experts at New York’s Binghamton University Tick-borne Disease Center have suggested that tick-borne diseases that were previously only found in certain regions of the United States are now starting to be identified in different parts of the country.

Yetrib Hathout, the director of the Binghamton University Tick-borne Disease Center, previously warned, “Deer ticks are active any time it’s over 39 degrees, so we have a lot longer active periods for ticks now, unfortunately.”

In addition to milder winters and rising temperatures, Hottel told Fox News that human developments in various wildlife habitats have contributed to the spread of ticks.

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“Another reason for the spread of ticks is the expansion of human developments into wildlife habitats, which helps ticks more easily find human hosts,” Hottel stated.

According to Fox News, experts at Ohio State University have warned that the number of concerning tick species has increased from one to five just throughout the past 15 years.

Hottel told Fox News that people need to be vigilant during the summer months and use caution with regard to certain ticks, tick bites, and diseases carried by ticks. According to Fox News, experts are warning Americans to check for ticks after spending time outside, use tick repellents, and wear long clothing.

“Awareness is the first step in protecting yourself from tick-borne illness,” Hottel said.

“Some of the pathogens that are only found in the South, like the Rickettsia species that causes spotted fever, are migrating up north,” Hathout warned. “That’s why tick surveillance and tick screening for other things are important. And I think it’s important to do it regularly.”