By Amir Mohammad
Public Health
Dr. Amir Mohammad
Connecticut is experiencing a sharp rise in tick activity this season, prompting state health officials to issue renewed warnings about the risks of tick-borne diseases as residents head outdoors for summer activities.
We are not only seeing a spike in tick encounters, but also an increase in tick-borne illnesses such as anaplasmosis, babesiosis and Powassan virus.
While Lyme disease remains the most common tick-borne illness in the state – with over 2,000 confirmed cases in 2024 alone – health officials are increasingly concerned about other emerging threats.
“In addition to Lyme, we’re seeing more cases of babesiosis and Powassan virus, which can cause severe neurological complications,” said Dr. Manisha Juthani, commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Public Health. “Some of these diseases are harder to diagnose and can be serious if not treated promptly.”
According to the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, tick submissions from the public are up by nearly 30 percent compared to this time last year.
“Ticks are now active earlier in the year and for a longer duration,” said Dr. Goudarz Molaei, director of the CAES Tick Testing Program. He added, “This increases the likelihood of human contact, especially in suburban areas where wooded environments meet residential communities.”
In Orange, the first case of Lyme disease was reported back in April. So far, there have been four confirmed cases of Lyme disease and one case of babesiosis.
It’s important to note that ticks are no longer limited to deep woods or hiking trails. Many are now found in backyards, parks and school playgrounds. Experts recommend keeping grass trimmed, clearing leaf litter and creating barriers between lawns and wooded areas to reduce tick habitat.
Take basic precautions. Use insect repellent containing DEET or permethrin. Wear light-colored clothing and tuck pants into socks when hiking or gardening. Conduct full-body tick checks after spending time outdoors. And remove ticks promptly with fine-tipped tweezers.
You can send ticks to the CAES by completing the tick submission form at portal.ct.gov/-/media/caes/documents/tick_testing/caes-tick-submission-form-2022.pdf. You can also bring your tick samples directly to the Jenkins-Waggoner Building at 123 Huntington St. in New Haven.
Dr. Amir Mohammad is the director of public health for the town of Orange.