DNREC and DPH Urge Delaware Residents to Stay Tick-Aware

As Delawareans head outside for spring and summer, state officials are reminding residents to take tick prevention seriously. The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) and the Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) say ticks are active in Delaware year-round, not just during warm weather. They can be found in wooded, brushy, and grassy areas, including parks, trails, yards, and places where pets spend time outdoors.

Why Ticks Matter in Delaware

Delaware has 19 identified tick species, but only a few are responsible for most human bites. The main ticks of concern include the blacklegged tick, lone star tick, and American dog tick. The blacklegged tick is especially important because it can carry several different pathogens. It is also the main tick linked to Powassan virus in this region. Tick bites are more than a nuisance. They can lead to serious illness.

Delaware’s First Confirmed Detection of Powassan Virus in a Tick

This year’s warning includes a new concern: Delaware has confirmed its first detection of Powassan virus in a tick.
Powassan virus is rare, but it can be serious. According to the CDC, it spreads to people through the bite of an infected tick. Early symptoms can include:

• Fever
• Headache
• Vomiting
• Weakness

In severe cases, Powassan virus can affect the brain or the tissue around the brain and spinal cord. This can lead to confusion, loss of coordination, difficulty speaking, seizures, and other serious neurological problems.
Unlike Lyme disease, Powassan is caused by a virus. That means antibiotics do not treat it. There are currently no vaccines to prevent Powassan virus disease and no specific medicines to treat it.

Why Fast Prevention Matters

One of the biggest concerns with Powassan virus is how quickly it may spread after a tick bite.

Many people have heard that some tick-borne diseases require a tick to be attached for many hours before infection can happen. Powassan is different. Research cited by NCBI notes that transmission may occur much faster, with animal studies showing infection in as little as 15 minutes and human studies showing infection can occur within three hours of tick attachment.

That does not mean people should panic. It means prevention should start before the tick bites.

Who Is Most at Risk?

Anyone can get sick from Powassan virus, but the CDC says some people face a higher risk of severe disease, including:

• Older adults
• Children
• People with weakened immune systems

Most Powassan infections are believed to be mild or may go unnoticed. But when the virus becomes severe, it can be dangerous. Among people who develop serious nervous system involvement, NCBI reports the fatality rate is estimated at 10% to 15%. Some survivors may also experience long-term issues such as memory problems, weakness, tremors, headaches, or trouble with balance and coordination.

Lyme Disease and Alpha-Gal Syndrome Are Also Concerns

Powassan is not the only tick-borne illness Delaware residents should know about. More than 350 cases of Lyme disease were reported in Delaware in 2025, making it the state’s most common tick-borne disease. More than 200 cases of alpha-gal syndrome have also been reported to DPH since it became reportable in Delaware in 2024. Alpha-gal syndrome is another tick-related illness that can affect people after certain tick bites.

How to Protect Yourself from Tick Bites

DPH Director Steven Blessing said defending yourself from ticks is not just about comfort. It is about health.

Here are simple ways to reduce your risk:

Dress Smart

When entering wooded, grassy, or brushy areas:

• Wear long pants and long sleeves
• Tuck pants into socks
• Wear light-colored clothing so ticks are easier to spot

Avoid Tick Habitats

Ticks are often found in tall grass, leaf litter, wooded areas, and brushy spaces. When hiking or walking, stay in the center of trails when possible.

Use Tick Repellent

Use an EPA-registered insect repellent with at least 20% DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus. Always follow the label instructions. For children, avoid applying repellent to the face, hands, or areas near the eyes or mouth.

Check Yourself, Children, and Pets

After being outside, check your body, your children, and your pets for ticks. A shower or bath can also help.

Ticks often hide in warm, less-visible areas, such as:

• Armpits
• Groin area
• Behind the knees
• Around the waistband
• Scalp and hairline

If you find a tick, remove it with fine-tipped tweezers. Grasp it as close to the skin as possible and pull it out gently. Do not use heat, petroleum jelly, or other substances to make it detach.

Keep Your Yard Tick-Safe

Around the home, you can reduce tick exposure by:

• Mowing the lawn regularly
• Removing leaf piles
• Clearing brushy areas
• Creating a gravel or wood chip barrier between lawns and wooded areas

Pet owners should also use tick prevention products year-round, since pets can bring ticks into the home.

What to Do After a Tick Bite

After removing a tick, clean the bite area with soap and water, rubbing alcohol, or hand sanitizer.

Anyone who develops a fever, rash, or flu-like symptoms within 30 days of a tick bite should contact a healthcare provider.

DNREC also encourages residents to save the tick in a sealed bag or take a photo before disposing of it. Photos can be submitted through Delaware’s Tick Interaction Report at de.gov/ticks for identification and guidance.

Stay Outside, But Stay Aware

Delaware’s parks, trails, beaches, and backyards are meant to be enjoyed. But tick awareness needs to be part of every outdoor plan. Use repellent. Dress smart. Check for ticks. Protect your pets. Powassan virus is rare, but serious. With Delaware now confirming its first detection of the virus in a tick, prevention is the best protection.

Sources:
https://www.cdc.gov/powassan/about/index.html
https://news.delaware.gov/2026/04/27/dnrec-dph-call-for-heightened-tick-awareness-in-delaware/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34033361/