Kentucky sees increase in Lyme disease with rise in tick population

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Kentucky is seeing an increase in Lyme disease.

The latest research from the Kentucky Department for Public Health shows a drastic jump in the tick population. Experts say ticks are heading south, spreading from the northeast and upper Midwest to places like Kentucky.

The University of Kentucky and the state health department have been building a tick surveillance program since 2019. Deer ticks are responsible for transmitting Lyme disease.

Forty of the 160 ticks collected tested positive for Lyme.

"Typically, tick surveillance includes something that's called a tick drag, and it's actually very simple," epidemiologist Kathleen Winter said. "You take a piece of cloth with string attached and drag it through habitats where you think the ticks might be breeding, where they might be residing."

According to research, tick-borne diseases increased by 128% between 2020-23. Lyme disease increased by about 275% in that time.