Maine's Tick Crisis: Cases Surge in Warmer Winters

Maine is experiencing a significant increase in tick-borne diseases, with 2025 marking a record year for reported cases. Milder winters and wetter conditions, exacerbated by air pollution contributing to global warming, have allowed tick populations, particularly the blacklegged tick, to thrive and expand their range northward. This expansion is directly linked to a rise in vector-borne illnesses, including Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, and babesiosis.

Cases of anaplasmosis and babesiosis, both presenting flu-like symptoms, shattered records in 2024 and 2025. Lyme disease numbers also saw a substantial increase, with most infections concentrated in four midcoast counties. The warming climate is pushing white-tailed deer, the primary hosts for blacklegged ticks, further north, intensifying the transmission risk to humans. As people increasingly spend time outdoors during milder winters, the opportunities for tick bites and subsequent disease transmission rise.

Untreated tick-borne illnesses can lead to severe complications. While Lyme disease can cause long-lasting problems, anaplasmosis and babesiosis, if left unaddressed, pose risks of anemia, respiratory failure, neurological issues, and organ damage. Vulnerable populations like the elderly and young children are especially susceptible. With some residents reportedly dying from these illnesses, public health officials are emphasizing protective measures.

Residents are advised to wear protective clothing, use EPA-approved repellents, and conduct thorough tick checks after spending time outdoors. Creating tick-unfriendly environments around homes by removing leaf piles and tall grass is also recommended. Scientists are actively developing new preventative strategies, including a tick-repelling drug for humans, aiming to curb the escalating incidence of these diseases.