April 2023 MiTracking Email - Ticks

Michigan Dept of Health & Human Services sent this bulletin at 04/12/2023 10:10 AM EDT

MiTracking Email April 2023 Ticks header

Portal News

Descriptive Analysis: Ticks

The MiTracking graph below shows the number of ticks submitted by the public to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) for tick species identification by year and tick type from 1999 to 2020 in Michigan. The total number of ticks submitted rose and fell over time. Overall, tick submissions have increased since 2013. However, from 2019 to 2020 there was a decrease in submissions.

The overall increase in submissions was driven by the American dog tick and Blacklegged tick. 

Since 1999, the American Dog Tick has been the most submitted tick type in Michigan. The American Dog tick can transmit Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) if the tick is infected. Human cases are rare but can be fatal if not treated in the early stages of infection.

The Blacklegged tick has been the second most submitted tick type in Michigan. The Blacklegged tick can transmit diseases like Lyme disease. Lyme disease is the most commonly reported vector-borne disease in the United States and Michigan. Reported cases in Michigan have increased over time as tick populations have spread across the state.

Preventing tick bites is the best way to protect yourself from RMSF, Lyme and other tick-borne diseases. You can find tick prevention information at Ticks and Your Health: preventing tick-borne illness in Michigan (see pages 10-14). You can submit a tick for expert identification by sending a picture through email (fastest method) or a specimen to MDHHS by mail. Remember ticks peak in the spring and fall!

Ticks Descriptive Analysis Graph 2022Ticks Descriptive Analysis Graph Key 2022

Link to chart query: https://mitracking.state.mi.us/?bookmark=271

MDHHS Resources

Communications Corner

Climate Changes MI Health: Michigan Ticks Infographic

CCMIH Michigan Ticks Infographic

The Michigan Environmental Public Health Tracking program (MiTracking) and the Michigan Climate and Health Adaptation Program (MICHAP) have created a series of infographics called Climate Changes MI Health (CCMIH). The series connects how climate change affects health while exploring MiTracking environmental and health data.

The first infographic is Michigan Ticks. The infographic explores connections between ticks, climate change, and health effects like Lyme disease. The infographic explains that warming temperatures are affecting human health in serious ways. The changing climate is helping ticks to spread and thrive, which could lead to more tick-borne disease. The infographic stresses that helping to reduce climate change and adapting to its impacts will provide opportunities to improve health.

MiTracking offers information and data on ticks (by type), Lyme disease (coming soon), and climate change. You can explore Michigan data on the MiTracking data portal.

Upcoming CCMIH infographics include extreme heat and extreme precipitation.

Announcements

Virtual Presentations

  • MiTracking is a great online resource covering a range of environmental health topics. We are now offering VIRTUAL presentations and trainings on how to use the portal. If you are interested in a FREE training, email us at MDHHS-MiTracking@michigan.gov. Check out the MiTracking Brochure.