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Pennsylvania has one of the highest Lyme disease risk levels in the entire United States, with infected ticks present in all 67 counties and some counties showing extremely high case rates.
Below is a clear, evidence‑based breakdown of what “risk” actually looks like in PA, based on the most recent state and CDC data.
🧭 Statewide Lyme Disease Risk in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania reports more Lyme disease cases than any other U.S. state, accounting for 29–35% of all U.S. cases according to state and CDC data. Lyme disease has been confirmed in every county, and infected blacklegged ticks are found statewide.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported that emergency room visits for tick bites have reached their highest levels since 2017. In April, 96 out of every 100,000 emergency department visits in the U.S. were due to tick bites, a significant increase from March's figures. The Northeast and Midwest regions have been the most affected, with the Northeast seeing nearly 50 out of every 100,000 visits for tick bites, and the Midwest experiencing 33 out of every 100,000.
Ticks can transmit serious diseases such as Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and alpha-gal syndrome, which can cause an allergic reaction to red meat. The CDC advises that prevention is key to reducing the risk of tick bites. Recommendations include using EPA-registered insect repellents, wearing clothing treated with permethrin, and checking for ticks after spending time outdoors. It is also important to remove any ticks found immediately, as doing so within 24 hours can significantly reduce the risk of developing Lyme disease.
According to The Hill, the increase in tick activity may be due to warmer weather, which has led to an earlier start to tick season. CDC epidemiologist Alison Hinckley emphasized the importance of taking precautions when spending time outdoors.
As Cleveland.com reports, the CDC's Tick Bite Tracker highlights the need for increased vigilance as the country enters peak tick season. The CDC advises seeking medical attention if symptoms such as fever or rash develop after a tick bite or after spending time in tick-prone areas.
📈 Seasonal Risk Levels
Peak exposure season in PA is:
- Late May through July (highest risk — nymph season)
- Fall through early spring (adult ticks active whenever temps are above freezing)
What to do the moment you find a tick
1. Remove it right away. Delaying removal increases the chance of disease transmission. The CDC emphasizes not waiting for a healthcare provider — prompt removal is safest.
2. Use fine‑tipped tweezers.
- Grab the tick as close to your skin as possible.
- Pull upward with steady, even pressure — no twisting or jerking.
- Avoid squeezing the tick’s body, which can push germs into your skin.
If you don’t have tweezers, you can use your fingers, but still grasp close to the skin and pull straight up.
3. Clean the bite area and your hands. Use soap and water, rubbing alcohol, or hand sanitizer
What NOT to do
Never use petroleum jelly, nail polish, heat, or matches
You can’t reliably check a tick itself to know if you have Lyme disease. But you can have the tick tested in some places, with important limitations.
The clear takeaway
Tick testing can tell you if the tick carried Lyme bacteria, but it cannot tell you whether you were infected. Doctors and the CDC do not recommend relying on tick‑testing to make medical decisions.
Why tick testing isn’t enough
Even if a lab finds Lyme bacteria in the tick:
- It doesn’t prove the tick transmitted it to you.
- Transmission depends on how long it was attached (usually 36–48 hours for Lyme).
- A negative test doesn’t guarantee safety — the tick might not be the only one that bit you.
What you can do
1. Save the tick if you want
Put it in a sealed bag or small container with rubbing alcohol. Label it with the date and where it was found.
2. Watch yourself for symptoms
Over the next days to weeks, look for:
- Expanding rash (sometimes bull’s‑eye shaped)
- Fever or chills
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Muscle or joint aches
If any appear, see a healthcare provider and tell them about the tick bite.
3. Ask a doctor if preventive antibiotics make sense
This depends on:
- Tick species
- How long it was attached
- Your location (Lyme is common in Pennsylvania)
- Your health history
A clinician can help decide.