Health District warns residents about growing tick risks

As tickborne illnesses continue rising across Ohio and in Carroll County, local health officials are urging residents to take precautions outdoors and pay close attention to symptoms that can develop after a tick bite.

The Carroll County General Health District recently shared updated data showing confirmed Lyme disease cases in Carroll County have increased dramatically in recent years, rising from 47 confirmed cases in 2020 to 197 in 2025 — an increase of more than 300%.

Across Ohio, the Ohio Department of Health reported statewide Lyme disease cases climbing from 415 in 2020 to more than 2,800 confirmed cases in 2025.

Health officials say warmer winters and increased humidity have helped ticks survive longer throughout the year.

“Ticks don’t all die in the winter,” said Kelly Morris, health commissioner for the Carroll County General Health District. “They go dormant instead, and during warmer winter days or snow melts, they can still be active and pose a risk.”

According to Morris, the three primary tick species identified in Carroll County are the American dog tick, blacklegged tick and lone star tick.

“The Ohio Department of Health has identified all three of these species in Carroll County through surveillance,” Morris said. “These tick species are the ones people and pets are most likely to encounter and are responsible for nearly all tick-borne diseases in the state.”

Morris said different ticks can carry different diseases. Blacklegged ticks can spread Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, babesiosis and Powassan virus disease. American dog ticks can spread Rocky Mountain spotted fever, while lone star ticks may spread ehrlichiosis and Southern Tick-Associated Rash Illness, known as STARI.

To help raise awareness, the Carroll County General Health District shared the experience of Carroll County resident Daniel Harris, who developed anaplasmosis after a tick bite.

According to information shared by the Health District, Harris initially believed he had COVID-19 after developing fever, chills, extreme fatigue and severe illness that kept him in bed for nearly a week.

As his condition worsened, his sons became concerned and called an ambulance. Harris later arrived at the hospital suffering from sepsis, a serious reaction to infection, and also developed atrial fibrillation, or AFib, an irregular heartbeat that nearly required surgery.

Doctors continued running tests before asking whether he had recently been bitten by a tick. Harris recalled having a small tick bite, and testing later confirmed he had anaplasmosis, a bacterial illness spread primarily through infected blacklegged ticks.

After several days of antibiotics, Harris improved enough to return home. However, he said the illness still affects his daily life. About six months later, he developed joint pain that now impacts nearly every joint in his body and an ongoing major decline in energy level — both things he never had before.

“Ticks are so tiny and hard to see,” Harris shared through the Health District. “It’s important to have someone check you after you’ve been outside.”

Harris hopes sharing his experience encourages others to take tick prevention seriously and seek medical attention quickly if symptoms appear following a tick bite.

“This is such an important topic to share for our community,” Morris said.

Morris said anyone spending time outdoors can be at risk for tickborne illness, especially people who hike, camp, hunt, farm, garden, landscape or work outdoors.

“Ticks are not limited to wooded or tall grassy areas,” Morris said. “Ticks can also be found in residential yards, so it is important to regularly check yourself and your pets.”

The Health District encourages residents to wear long sleeves, pants and socks when outdoors, use EPA-approved insect repellent and perform thorough tick checks after spending time outside. Officials also recommend checking pets and reducing tick habitats around homes by mowing regularly, removing leaves and clearing brush and tall grass.

If a tick is found attached to the skin, residents are encouraged to remove it carefully using fine-tipped tweezers, pulling straight upward without twisting. Morris said quick removal may help reduce the risk of infection.

“The Carroll County General Health District would like residents to take away ways to prevent tickborne illness — like using repellent, wearing protective clothing, checking for ticks and removing them quickly,” Morris said. “We also want residents to know that early treatment is key and to contact a doctor right away if symptoms develop after a tick bite.”

Symptoms of Lyme disease can include fever, fatigue, headaches, muscle or joint pain and a rash that may resemble a bull’s-eye pattern. Symptoms of anaplasmosis may include fever, chills, fatigue, nausea, muscle aches and confusion.

Health officials said anyone developing symptoms after a tick bite should contact a doctor as soon as possible, as early treatment can help prevent more serious complications.

For more information about ticks and tickborne illnesses in Ohio, visit the Ohio Department of Health website.