(Graphic courtesy of Michigan Department of Health and Human Services)

MARQUETTE — The number of cases of Lyme Disease in Marquette County has exploded in recent years, besting statistics for the state of Michigan which has also seen a substantial increase.

According to statistics maintained by the Marquette County Health Department, the number of cases of Lyme, a tick-borne illness that can affect the body in a myriad of ways, increased from 9 in 2020 to 47 in 2024, a 400 percent surge.

Statewide, the numbers aren’t quite so dire but still significant. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services reports that the state recorded 1,215 cases in 2024, as compared to 452 cases in 2020, up 168 percent.

Another serious illness transmitted by trick bites is anaplasmosis. Cases in Michigan have seen an almost fivefold increase over the last five years, with 82 cases in 2024 compared to 17 in 2020.

Lyme Disease, caused by the bacterium borrelia burgdorferi, is the most common tick-borne disease in Michigan, experts say. Anaplasmosis, caused by the bacterium anaplasma phagocytophilum, is the second most common tick-borne disease and cases are increasing, particularly in the northern parts of the state.

“Preventing tick bites is the best way to prevent tick-borne diseases, including Lyme disease and anaplasmosis,” said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, MDHHS chief medical executive. “If you find a tick attached to your body, promptly remove it. Monitor your health, and if you experience fever, rash, muscle or joint aches or other symptoms, or if you suspect a tick has been attached for more than 24 hours, consult with your medical provider.”

According to information provided by MDHHS, both Lyme Disease and anaplasmosis are transmitted by Ixodes scapularis, commonly known as the blacklegged or deer tick. The blacklegged tick is well-established in parts of the Upper and Lower Peninsulas and has been expanding its range over the years.

Medical experts note signs and symptoms of tick-borne diseases typically begin one to two weeks after a tick bite, often after being in wooded or brushy areas where ticks commonly live. Early symptoms can be non-specific and include fever or chills, rash, headache, fatigue and muscle aches. Early treatment with appropriate antibiotics can decrease the risk of serious complications.

People can protect themselves against Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases by following these tips:

Avoid tick-infested areas –

• As ticks live in grassy, brushy and wooded areas, individuals should walk in the center of trails to avoid contact with overgrown grass, brush and leaf litter at trail edges.

• Dogs and cats can encounter ticks outdoors and bring them into the home. Talk with your veterinarian about the best tick prevention products.

Use insect repellent –

• Apply an EPA-registered repellent on exposed skin.

• Treat clothes (especially pants, socks and shoes) with permethrin, which kills ticks on contact or buy clothes that are pre-treated. Do not use permethrin directly on skin.

• Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when applying repellents.

Perform daily tick checks –

• Always check for ticks on yourself and your animals after being outdoors, including in your own yard.

• Inspect all body surfaces carefully and remove attached ticks carefully with tweezers.

• To remove a tick, grasp the tick firmly and as closely to the skin as possible. With steady, even pressure, pull the tick’s body upward and away from the skin. Cleanse the area with an antiseptic.

Bathe or shower –

• Bathe or shower as soon as possible after coming indoors (preferably within two hours) to wash off and more easily find ticks.

• Wash clothing in hot water and dry on high heat to kill ticks in clothing.

For more information on Lyme disease and other tickborne conditions, or how to submit your tick and/or photo of a tick, visit Michigan.gov/Lyme. Additional information nationally is available at CDC.gov/Lyme.