New study shows Virginia and N.C. pose risk for tick-borne diseases

Kenzie Finch
·1 min read

PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) — Planning to be outside this summer? Make sure to wear your bug spray or you could get pretty ticked off!

May was declared National Lyme Disease Awareness Month. A new study by Pest Gnome listed 2024’s Worst States for Tick-Borne Illnesses, and Virginia and North Carolina made the list.

Virginia ranked at No. 12 and North Carolina at No. 14. New York takes the No. 1 spot for most vulnerable to tick-borne illnesses. Lyme Disease accounts for more than 80% of tick-borne illnesses, according to News in Health.

The study was done based on 25 total metrics including: annual rates of tick-borne diseases like Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis and Rocky Mountain spotted fever as well as environmental factors like hiking trails, forest area, etc.

The six main categories used in the study were infestation risk, environmental factors, tick distribution, climate, agricultural factors and pest control.

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