Lyme disease cases surge in Michigan as tick populations grow
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LANSING, Mich. (WILX) – Lyme disease cases in Michigan have surged nearly 300% over the past three years as tick populations expand across the state.
The state recorded 553 confirmed cases of Lyme disease in 2022. By 2025, that number jumped to more than 2,100 cases.
More than 60 counties now have a known risk for Lyme disease, according to the state. An additional 17 counties have a potential risk.
Tick populations are on the rise in higher populated areas, said Jean Tsao, a professor at Michigan State University.
“So with the spread of the ticks and actually when the ticks have been spreading and building up in their population numbers – the amount of ticks, or the prevalence I should say, the proportion that are infected with the pathogen will also increase,” Tsao said.
Cases of Lyme disease jumped by nearly 80 percent from 2024 to 2025, which isn’t a shock to Tsao.
“You know, I’m not surprised. And I think, I wouldn’t be surprised if it doubled even more this coming year,” Tsao said.
Rachel Burkholder from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services said the reason there are more ticks in the state is simple: “They like it here.”
“They reproduce in large numbers, and they survive our winters fairly well. And they really like our hot, humid summers,” Burkholder said.
Tsao said the increase in ticks and Lyme disease should not scare anyone from enjoying the outdoors, but it’s important to know where to look and how to keep yourself safe.
“If you can, if it’s not super hot yet, wear long sleeves, long pants and tuck those into your socks, because the less exposed area of skin you have, you know, the lower the chance that they’ll latch on right away,” Tsao said.
Tsao said if you see a tick, whether it bit you or not, you should hold onto it, take a picture and report it to the health department.
The best ways to prevent tick bites is to know where they live, which is mostly in wooded areas. Use bug spray when you go outside. After you come back inside, check yourself and your clothing for ticks.
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