Warm Weather Brings Tick Concerns in the Delaware Valley

As temperatures get warmer and more people head outdoors to enjoy the sunshine in the Delaware Valley, tick season has also returned, bringing with it health concerns.

Dr. Ratul Dalal, medical director for infectious diseases at Penn State Health St. Joseph, said he's already treated people with tick-borne illnesses.

"We had to start them on treatment because they were very, very sick at that moment," Dalal said in an interview with WFMZ-TV.

Tick-related illnesses have been increasing over the years. A 2023 report found that Pennsylvania has had the highest incidence of Lyme disease in the country in 11 of the past 12 years, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

How can you protect yourself?

Doctors recommend wearing long sleeves, using insect repellent, checking your skin and clothes when you come inside, and inspecting your pets.

If you find a tick, remove it carefully and call your doctor if you notice any discoloration on the skin where you removed the tick or if you feel ill.