Emergency room visits for tick bites have reached their highest weekly levels for this time of year in at least a decade, according to new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The CDC's surveillance data shows a significant uptick in people seeking emergency medical care for tick-related incidents during the current tick season. Health officials are monitoring the trend as tick activity typically peaks during warmer months when people spend more time outdoors.

Tick bites can transmit various diseases including Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and other tick-borne illnesses. Early symptoms of tick-borne diseases can include fever, headache, fatigue, and characteristic skin rashes, though symptoms vary depending on the specific pathogen.

Medical experts recommend several prevention measures for individuals and families spending time outdoors. These include using EPA-approved insect repellents, wearing long sleeves and pants when possible, staying on trails and avoiding tall grass and wooded areas, and conducting thorough tick checks after outdoor activities.

If a tick is found attached to the skin, health officials advise removing it promptly using fine-tipped tweezers, grasping the tick as close to the skin as possible and pulling upward with steady pressure. The bite area should be cleaned with rubbing alcohol or soap and water after removal.