NYC Health Officials Warn of Rising Tick-Borne Disease Risks Ahead of Summer Season

Edited by: TJVNews.com

As summer approaches and New Yorkers prepare to enjoy the outdoors, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene is urging residents to take proactive steps against the growing threat of tick-borne diseases. In a comprehensive advisory issued this week, city officials emphasized the need for vigilance as tick activity increases in local parks and in popular travel destinations across the Northeast.

“Lyme disease continues to be the most commonly reported tick-borne illness among New Yorkers, followed by babesiosis and anaplasmosis,” Acting Health Commissioner Dr. Michelle Morse said in a statement. “With more people spending time outdoors, it’s essential to take simple, effective precautions to prevent tick bites. That includes using EPA-registered repellents, performing thorough tick checks, and ensuring our pets are protected as well.”

Ticks Found in City Parks and Beyond

Although ticks are most prevalent in wooded areas outside of the five boroughs—such as Long Island, upstate New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and parts of Pennsylvania—city officials have identified established tick populations on Staten Island and in the North Bronx. The NYC Parks Department and NYC Health Department have partnered to post tick-awareness signage in affected areas and promote preventive behavior.

“New Yorkers love their parks, and we want them to continue enjoying them safely,” said NYC Parks Wildlife Unit Director Richard Simon. “That means sticking to marked trails, avoiding high grass, and wearing appropriate clothing—light-colored, with pants tucked into socks, and repellent applied to shoes and cuffs.”

Disease Surveillance and Tick Monitoring

According to NYC Health Department data, 2024 saw 2,832 preliminary reports of Lyme disease among city residents. Of these, 1,801 were newly diagnosed infections, and 1,031 were cases where new test results were returned for infections from prior years. Additionally, 78 cases of babesiosis and 65 of anaplasmosis were reported. Most of these infections occurred in individuals who had traveled outside of the city for recreational or professional activities.

The department operates an extensive tick and tick-borne disease surveillance program, employing field teams that collect ticks using cloth drags across parks and green spaces. These ticks are tested at the department’s Public Health Laboratory for various pathogens. The data help shape public health guidance and are shared with partnering agencies and organizations.

“Our findings are clear—tick-borne threats are increasing, and climate change is expanding their range and activity season,” said Dr. Morse. “Warmer winters and longer warm seasons allow ticks to thrive in areas they once couldn’t. This makes prevention even more urgent.”

Prevention Strategies for New Yorkers

To help residents reduce their risk, the Health Department has released a set of practical, science-based recommendations. These include:

At Home:

Keep lawns trimmed and remove brush or leaf piles.

Create sunny, tick-free zones in your yard.

Avoid attracting deer and other wildlife that carry ticks.

When Outdoors:

Apply an EPA-registered insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, or IR3535.

Use permethrin on clothing and footwear.

Wear light-colored clothing to make ticks more visible.

Stick to the center of trails and avoid brushing against vegetation.

After Outdoor Activity:

Conduct full-body tick checks on yourself, your children, and pets.

Shower within two hours of coming indoors to reduce the risk of Lyme transmission.

Dry clothes on high heat for at least 10 minutes to kill any ticks.

Monitor for symptoms such as fever or rash and notify your healthcare provider of any suspected exposure, even if no tick bite is recalled.

Protecting Pets

Dogs and, to a lesser extent, cats can also suffer from tick-borne diseases. The Health Department advises pet owners to consult their veterinarians about appropriate flea and tick preventatives.

“Ticks don’t just latch onto your pets—they come into your homes on them,” said Dr. Morse. “Using veterinary-approved repellents is critical for both animal and human health.”

Community Outreach and Education

The NYC Health Department is rolling out educational initiatives through summer camps, libraries, community centers, and NYC Parks. A special Tick Toolkit for Educators has been developed to empower teachers and community leaders to incorporate tick awareness into their summer programming.

“Knowledge is our first line of defense,” said a spokesperson for the Department’s Bureau of Environmental Disease and Injury Prevention. “We want all New Yorkers—from campers to commuters—to recognize the risks and protect themselves.”

As tick-borne illnesses become a year-round concern, especially with shifting climate patterns, city health officials stress that prevention must be integrated into everyday life.

More information on ticks, Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, babesiosis, ehrlichiosis, and prevention resources is available on the NYC Health Department website. With early action and community-wide awareness, New Yorkers can enjoy the summer season safely—without falling prey to these silent, crawling threats.