Michigan reported a 168% increase in Lyme disease over the last five years, as cases surpassed 1,200 in 2024.
“If you find a tick attached to your body, promptly remove it.
Many people with Lyme disease will develop a bull’s-eye rash that begins at the site of the bite and expands over several days.
In addition to the 1,215 Lyme disease cases reported in 2024, Michigan also identified 82 cases of anaplasmosis.
For more information, visit michigan.gov/lyme or cdc.gov/lyme.
In 2024, there were more than 1,200 cases of Lyme disease in Michigan, a 168 percent increase over the previous five years.
Ahead of the holiday weekend, when residents might be spending more time outside, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services issued a warning on Wednesday, May 21, due to an increase in tick-borne illness cases.
According to the state’s chief medical executive, Dr. Dot Natasha Bagdasarian, “the best way to prevent tick-borne diseases is to prevent tick bites.”.
Should you discover a tick affixed to your body, remove it right away. Follow up with your doctor if you have any symptoms, such as a fever, rash, or aches in your muscles or joints, or if you think a tick has been attached for longer than 24 hours. “”.
Related: Michigan’s second warmest winter changed the tick season.
The blacklegged or deer tick, which is frequently found in brushy or wooded areas on both of Michigan’s peninsulas, is the vector of Lyme disease and anaplasmosis. In recent years, their range has been growing.
In most cases, tick-borne illness symptoms appear two weeks after a tick bite. Fever or chills, rash, headache, exhaustion, and muscle aches are some early warning signs.
A bulls-eye rash that starts at the bite site and spreads over several days is common in people with Lyme disease.
The best method to lower the risk of major side effects like arthritis, heart issues, and neurological disorders is to start antibiotic treatment early.
When walking through grassy, brushy, and wooded areas, MDHHS advises avoiding coming into contact with overgrown grass, brush, and leaf litter at trail edges.
On exposed skin, officials advise applying an EPA-registered insect repellent. They also advise treating clothing with permethrin, which kills ticks instantly. Permethrin should not be applied directly to the skin.
After spending time outdoors, check for ticks on both you and your animals. Take the attached ticks as close to the skin as you can with tweezers, then use antiseptic to clean the area.
Michigan recorded 82 cases of anaplasmosis in 2024, in addition to the 1,215 cases of Lyme disease. Compared to 2020, there were 17 cases more.
To learn more, go to either the CDC or Michigan . gov/lyme websites.
