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Experts warned that the tick population in the United States was booming, and we’re now seeing the unfortunate effects across the country. We’re updating you on the latest in tick-related news. Also in today’s news digest: rapper Eminem’s daughter has a new renovation show, how Gen Zers are finding new and creative ways to become homeowners, and a cleaning trend that’s gone viral.
Tick Season Explodes With ER Cases and Alarming Disease Spiking
The Northeast is seeing its worst tick season in five years, according to a new report from the CDC: there have been 229 emergency department visits related to tick bites per 100,000 visits in the region. That’s up from 167 in June 2024, and only slightly down from May of this year, which had 283 ER visits per 100,000 visits. Officials are strongly advising people to protect themselves and to look for signs of tick bites, especially after spending time in places where ticks are commonly found (areas with tall grasses and the woods, for example, though they have been found almost anywhere—including on building facades and playground equipment).
It’s not just the rise in tick bites that’s cause for alarm. One particular disease has been spreading rapidly: babesiosis. Babesiosis is a tick-borne disease that infects red blood cells. Deer ticks, perhaps the most common species of tick, are primarily responsible for this infection. They’re also responsible for spreading Lyme disease, so those bitten risk being infected with both diseases.
Babesiosis is considered dangerous for many, despite some people showing no symptoms. In some cases, infected individuals can develop hemolytic anemia, which is a condition where red blood cells are destroyed faster than they can be replaced. In some more vulnerable populations, such as those with a suppressed immune system, babesiosis can be fatal.
The advice to prevent and treat tick bites remains the same: scan your body for tick bites after spending time outdoors, remove ticks as soon as you see them, disinfect the area affected, and monitor yourself for symptoms such as a rash or fever. Read more about the CDC’s guidance on tick bites.
More Headlines This Week
Rapper Eminem’s daughter, Hailie Jade Mathers, debuted a home renovation series on YouTube. The show, Just a Little Reno, documents the transformation of an outdated Michigan home into a dream dwelling. She handled all the design decisions on behalf of the homeowner, who happens to be her best friend—but it wasn’t her first time designing a space: she designed her own home, too.
Gen Zers are buying homes. But how are they affording record-high prices, a rising cost of living, economic uncertainty, and stubborn mortgage rates? Co-buying. Co-buying is the practice of pooling funds and purchasing a home with others, most often family or even friends. It’s not a tactic that’s been widely embraced by their Millennial counterparts since it comes with its legal, logistical, and financial challenges. But for many Gen Zers who dream of owning a home, it’s a creative way to achieve that dream.
There’s a new cleaning trend going viral on TikTok: using hypochlorous acid as a disinfectant around the house. It’s being touted as an inexpensive, nontoxic, and effective cleaning agent, but experts want you to know: this time, the hype is real. It’s a worthy alternative to harsh chemicals. But beware: don’t use it on unsealed wood or delicate fabrics or upholstery, since it may cause damage over time.
