Tick bite ER visits spike in Vermont as fall weather arrives

The Vermont Health Department reports a new spike in emergency room and urgent care visits for tick bites at the start of October. Data released this month charts the percentage of such visits throughout the year. The numbers climbed rapidly from April through May. They then declined slowly until September. The graph shows a historic average line from 2017 onward. That line indicates rates typically remain high until December. Officials say this year’s pattern is likely to follow the same trajectory.

Dr. Natalie Kwit, the state public health veterinarian, says residents should not stay indoors out of fear. She notes that tick-borne diseases are generally treatable if caught early. "Do not let the fear of tick-borne illnesses and tick bites drive you indoors, especially this time of year when we should really be enjoying our environment," Kwit said. She described the situation as a winnable battle if people remain diligent with prevention.

The department recommends specific steps before heading into the woods for hunting or hiking. Residents should spray outdoor clothing with EPA-registered insect repellents that contain permethrin. Covering skin with tight-fitting layers and tucking pants into socks are also advised. After returning home, the department urges people to shower immediately. A thorough tick check is necessary for the person, their clothes, and their pets. Ticks can hitch rides on animals even if they are on flea and tick treatments.

If a person feels flu-like symptoms after exposure, they should talk to a doctor. The illness could be tick-borne. The Health Department provided this guidance as fall activities resume in Burlington and across Vermont.

No further data release is scheduled until next year. The current graph covers the period from 2017 to the present. The October spike marks the second major increase in tick bite visits for 2026.