LANSING, MI— The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is encouraging residents to take steps to avoid tick bites while enjoying the outdoors this summer.
Tick-borne diseases, particularly Lyme disease and anaplasmosis, are increasing across the state. In 2021 there were 878 confirmed and probable cases of Lyme disease in Michigan, nearly double the 451 cases reported in 2020.
Reported cases of anaplasmosis jumped from 17 confirmed and probable cases in 2020 to 56 in 2021. Counties with the largest increase in anaplasmosis cases include Dickinson and Menominee in the U.P., and Manistee and Benzie in the Lower Peninsula.
To protect yourself, avoid tick-infested areas like overgrown grass, brush, and leaf litter; use insect repellent; always check for ticks on yourself and your animals after being outside; and bathe or shower as soon as possible after coming indoors to wash off and more easily find ticks that are crawling on you.
