Something serious could be on the horizon –tick-tock.
New York City is facing a looming health risk, and it’s not solely due to increasing taxes. This spring and summer, a significant rise in disease-carrying ticks and mosquitoes could hit the Big Apple, fueled by warmer weather and growing insect populations.
Locals might find themselves yearning for an escape from the city.
According to recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, tick bites are leading to emergency room visits at the highest rate seen in nearly a decade.
As of early April, 71 out of every 100,000 emergency visits were due to tick bites, with most of these cases in the Northeast.
And that’s just the beginning.
In fact, for every 100,000 ER visits in the Northeast, 163 were related to ticks, a notable rise from 52 just a month earlier.
“I wouldn’t be shocked if we see more ticks this year than last,” Byron Bakkenson, who heads infectious disease control at the New York State Department of Health, mentioned.
While tick issues are more common in the Hudson Valley and rural northern areas, all five boroughs are seeing tick activity as well, as noted by Bakkenson.
Reports of ticks have surfaced from both Central Park and Prospect Park, which, according to a Columbia University study, reveal that ticks infest about 70% of the city’s parks. Even people’s pets are not exempt from this invasion.
Tick Population Surge
Tick-tock…what’s driving this tick boom? Experts cite several factors, including a notable rise in host animals. In 2023, an abundant acorn harvest led to increased populations of deer, rats, and other creatures that ticks latch onto.
Rising temperatures might extend the typical tick season, which usually spans from March to November but peaks from April to September. For instance, temperatures hit 90 degrees in Central Park on April 15.
“Spring arrives sooner, and fall lingers longer. It’s clear that ticks are active for more extended periods,” Bakkenson stated, adding that snow might actually help ticks survive the colder months.
“Snow provides insulation for them through winter, keeping the temperature just below freezing beneath the snowpack,” he elaborated.
Ticks aren’t the only threat for New Yorkers, though.
The Asian tiger mosquito, a significant vector for diseases that made its way to the U.S. in the 1980s and has been spilling into New York since the mid-2000s, is also expanding its territory within the city.
Last year, New York ranked third on Orkin’s list of cities most plagued by mosquitoes, trailing only Los Angeles and Chicago.
The humid, sweltering summers of New York, particularly last year’s near-tropical conditions, create an ideal environment for these invasive mosquitoes.
“The active season for them is extending further into November,” noted Laura Harrington from the CDC. “I’ve noticed adult mosquitoes flying around New York more this year.”
According to her, a longer activity window leads to an increased accumulation of viruses in their bodies as summer progresses, ramping up the risks.
Associated Illnesses
West Nile virus remains the primary mosquito-borne disease in the city, affecting all five boroughs. A survey conducted in September indicated a 40% rise in infections compared to the norm.
New, concerning diseases are emerging. Health officials confirmed the first locally sourced case of chikungunya, marked by fever and joint pain, in Nassau County, Long Island—this is the first case seen in the U.S. in seven years.
While likely an isolated incident, it reflects a broader trend in global disease spread, highlighted Harrington.
“New York is an international city,” she observed. “We see people coming in from regions where certain pathogens are endemic.”
Ticks are known for transmitting numerous diseases too, including Rocky Mountain spotted fever and babesiosis. However, Lyme disease remains the most significant concern.
In recent years, New York has seen more than 17,500 new cases annually, with 19,000 reported in 2023 alone. Bakkenson recalled that, decades ago, Lyme disease was a limited issue, primarily confined to areas like Long Island and the north of the city. Now, its presence has spread further.
“Surely, many New Yorkers contract Lyme disease, but most cases are attributed to travel outside the city, as ticks need to be attached for over 24 hours for the infection to spread,” Bakkenson clarified.
Still, black-footed ticks that carry Lyme have established populations in certain parts of Staten Island and the Bronx.
There’s also growing worry around alpha-gal syndrome, a severe meat allergy transmitted by the Lone Star tick, which is prevalent in Long Island. Alarmingly, a pilot in New Jersey died after unknowingly consuming a hamburger while having this condition.
Staying Safe
Fortunately, there are preventative steps to mitigate the risks of these parasites.
The New York City Department of Health conducts mosquito surveillance in the summer, setting traps across the city to monitor mosquito populations and test them for diseases. If necessary, there may be pesticide applications to manage outbreaks.
Experts suggest using repellents like DEET and eliminating standing water, which serves as breeding sites for mosquitoes.
Preventing ticks, however, is trickier.
“I’ve worked in this field since 1992, but we still lack effective community-wide tick control,” Bakkenson noted, emphasizing that the treatments effective for mosquitoes aren’t necessarily helpful against ticks.
To minimize risk, Bakkenson advises wearing light-colored, long-sleeved clothing when outdoors, treating gear with permethrin, and tucking pants into socks.
Thorough tick checks are crucial, especially during late spring and early summer when the tiny nymphs are about the size of poppy seeds.
Bakkenson even suggests placing clothing in a hot dryer for about 10 minutes to eliminate any lingering ticks.
Lastly, there’s potential for a Lyme disease vaccine currently in testing, which has shown effectiveness above 70%, although no clear timeline exists for its release.
Until then, staying vigilant remains essential.
