Hot off the press: Top-tier media swarms on tick-borne disease this tick season
Following Lyme Disease Awareness Month this past May–which coincides with the start of tick season–mainstream media coverage has surged in an unprecedented way, and that coverage is only continuing into late summer. While this increased attention is valuable for raising awareness, the driving force behind it is far more concerning. Historically, tick season lasted from May through August, trickled down in the fall, and died down almost completely in the winter. Due to a number of environmental factors, many of which stem from climate change, ticks are expanding geographically and sticking around longer, causing experts to wonder if “tick season” is a thing of the past and instead a year-round epidemic. Scientists say that while in the past the last tick bites of the year were typically reported in October, more recent years have seen a surge in bites through December. Tick numbers are reportedly 30-40% higher than this time last year, and there are reports of bites in brand new areas each year. Ticks climbing up office walls in Hudson, NY., and a popular beach closing for an entire season in Bridgeport, CT., are just a couple examples of the jarring news picked up by the media in recent months.
Check out the press blitz in the articles linked below. We’ve included a brief summary for each, as well as a call to action. News like this can feel like doomsday, but we hope to replace fear with the empowerment to act.
NPR – Tick Risks Vary by Region. Here's Where Diseases Have Spread And How To Stay Safe.
In short: Tick‑borne diseases are increasingly widespread—especially Lyme disease in the Northeast/mid‑Atlantic/Upper Midwest, Ehrlichiosis and STARI in the South, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever as well as anaplasmosis in the West—highlighting that climatic shifts and ecological changes are driving the expansion of both tick populations and novel pathogens across the U.S.
CTA: Individuals need to adopt proactive measures to prevent tick bites, such as using EPA-approved repellents, wearing protective clothing, and conducting thorough tick checks, especially in regions where tick-borne diseases are emerging or on the rise. Don’t fret, just prevent. Read more on prevention here.
Time: 7 Surprising Symptoms of Lyme Disease
In short: Lyme disease can progress from early flu-like symptoms to chronic complications, including heart issues (like Lyme carditis), neurological effects (such as brain fog, memory loss, and Bell’s palsy), vision and hearing disturbances, debilitating fatigue, and arthritis in children. The likelihood of developing these complications increases the longer one waits to treat the initial infection.
CTA: Remain vigilant about Lyme disease symptoms, especially during tick season, and seek prompt medical attention if unusual or persistent symptoms arise. Early diagnosis is crucial to prevent longterm issues. Here’s how to advocate for yourself and for the right testing, as common tests are largely inaccurate.
New York Times: The Tick Situation Is Getting Worse. Here’s How To Protect Yourself.
In short: Effects of climate change such as warmer springs, milder winters, and shifting land use, are extending the active season and expanding the geographic range of disease—carrying ticks across the U.S., significantly increasing tick‑borne disease risks in new regions.
CTA: There’s an urgent need for public awareness and proactive measures to combat the escalating risk of tick-borne diseases, especially as climate change influences tick behavior and trends. Instigate conversations and share knowledge to protect your loved ones.
Wall Street Journal: Ticks Are Really Bad This Summer. Here’s What To Do About Them.
In short: Summer 2025 is seeing a surge in tick activity—particularly blacklegged (deer), Lone Star, and American dog ticks. Emergency department visits are at their highest since 2019, and tick populations are up 30–40% year after year, driven by milder winters and wetter springs.
CTA: Experts stress that prompt tick removal, use of DEET or permethrin repellents, protective clothing, and rigorous body and pet checks are essential to reduce disease risk.
Wall Street Journal: Chronic Lyme Disease Was Once Dismissed. More Doctors Are Coming Around.
In short: Chronic Lyme disease, once dismissed by the medical community, is gaining recognition due to new research and parallels drawn to long COVID. This is leading to increased investigation and hope for patients suffering from persistent symptoms.
CTA: The medical community must recognize and invest more research into chronic Lyme disease, improving diagnosis, treatment options, and support for patients experiencing long-lasting symptoms similar to long COVID. This is where your advocacy can help!
Los Angeles Times: ‘Relentlessly debilitating’: The chronic symptoms of Lyme disease
In short: Even though many Lyme patients recover after a two to four week antibiotic course, some develop prolonged, incapacitating symptoms—known as Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome—the cause of which remains unknown. While recovery typically occurs over many months, the root reason for these lingering effects is still a medical mystery.
CTA: The main call to action in the article is for greater medical research and awareness about Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome (PTLDS)—highlighting the urgent need to understand why some patients experience long-lasting, debilitating symptoms even after standard treatment. The hope is for increased research to lead to more effective diagnostics, therapies, and support systems.
NOTE: As stated in the Wall Street Journal article above, the concept of “chronic Lyme” was not widely accepted in the past, instead referred to as Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome (PTLDS).
In short: Pleasure Beach, a beloved public shoreline in Bridgeport, CT., has been closed through the entire 2025 summer season due to an invasive tick infestation (which includes the Asian longhorned tick), as well as increased wildlife presence and nesting by protected birds, prompting health and conservation concerns.
CTA: It’s not just the woods or grasses—be wary of less historically prevalent environments. For Pleasure Beach specifically, follow city updates and avoid disturbing sensitive habitats during the restoration and monitoring efforts, and follow preventative measures all year round.
NYC Faces ‘Extremely High’ Tick Exposure Threat, Researchers Warn
In short: New York City has entered the "red zone" in 2025, signifying an extremely high risk of tick exposure due to elevated activity of both nymph and adult blacklegged (deer) ticks. The tiny, hard‑to‑spot nymphs are responsible for a majority of Lyme disease cases.
CTA: While urban areas like NYC are often not perceived as tick‑ridden, there’s mounting evidence of tick presence and risk across city parks. Participate in prevention efforts at all times, regardless of risk perception.
As the above made clear, tick-borne diseases are no longer a seasonal nuisance—they’re an escalating public health emergency. Climate change, expanding tick ranges, and a lack of early diagnosis are fueling a perfect storm of risk, and the consequences—from debilitating symptoms to life-threatening complications—are becoming harder to ignore. Awareness is only the first step. Now is the time to act: check yourself and your loved ones after time outdoors, advocate for safer public spaces, improved testing and research funding, and reliable information in your communities. The threat is growing—but so is our ability to combat it, if we stay vigilant and push for change.
