More than 350 cases of Lyme disease, Delaware’s most common tick-borne disease, were reported in the state in 2025.

That number matters.

It is not just a statistic for a public health report. It is a reminder that ticks are a real concern in Delaware, especially as more people spend time outside in yards, parks, trails, wooded areas, beaches, campgrounds, and neighborhoods.

Delaware health and environmental officials have made tick awareness a public health priority. In an April 2026 reminder, DNREC and the Delaware Division of Public Health warned residents that ticks are active in Delaware year-round, not just during the warmer months, and can be found in wooded, brushy, and grassy areas. The same release reported that more than 350 Lyme disease cases were recorded in 2025.

The message is simple: Lyme disease should be taken seriously in Delaware.

The 2025 Lyme Disease Number Is Supported by Delaware Health Officials

The clearest source for the claim is Delaware’s April 2026 tick awareness release from DNREC and DPH.

That release directly states that more than 350 cases of Lyme disease, the state’s most common tick-borne disease, were reported in 2025. It also says tick-borne diseases are a public health focus in Delaware and notes that more than 200 cases of alpha-gal syndrome have been reported to DPH since it became reportable in Delaware in 2024.

That makes the claim strong and usable:

More than 350 cases of Lyme disease, the state’s most common tick-borne disease, were reported in Delaware in 2025.

Delaware’s 2024 Data Shows This Was Already a Concern

The 2025 number did not come out of nowhere.

A June 2025 Delaware tick safety release reported that 344 cases of Lyme disease were recorded in Delaware in 2024, also identifying Lyme disease as the state’s most common tick-borne disease. That same release explained that Lyme disease is spread by blacklegged ticks, also known as deer ticks, in the Mid-Atlantic region.

That means Delaware had hundreds of reported Lyme disease cases in back-to-back years:

This helps show why tick prevention is not just a seasonal reminder. It is an ongoing public health issue.

Why Lyme Disease Should Be Taken Seriously

Lyme disease is not just a rash.

According to Delaware’s June 2025 tick safety release, symptoms can range from fever and fatigue to severe joint pain and neurological issues if left untreated. In some cases, a bullseye-like rash may appear near the bite site, but not every person notices a rash.

The CDC also makes clear that Lyme disease remains a major national health issue. More than 89,000 cases of Lyme disease were reported to CDC by state health departments and the District of Columbia in 2023. CDC also notes that recent estimates suggest about 476,000 people may be diagnosed and treated for Lyme disease each year in the United States.

That is why Lyme disease should not be dismissed as a minor outdoor inconvenience. It is one of the most important tick-borne diseases in the country, and Delaware is part of a region where tick exposure is a real concern.

Delaware Has the Tick Species That Matter

Part of what makes Lyme disease a concern in Delaware is the presence of ticks that can spread disease.

A 2025 article in the Journal of Medical Entomology reported 15 established hard tick species in Delaware, along with additional hard tick and soft tick species that have been recorded but are not yet confirmed as established. The study also explained that Delaware carries an “outsize share” of the national tick-associated disease burden and ranks among the top 10 states for incidence rates of Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis, and spotted fever rickettsioses.

The same article notes that the blacklegged tick, also called the deer tick, has become one of Delaware’s most medically important ticks because it can transmit the agents that cause Lyme disease, babesiosis, anaplasmosis, and other illnesses.

Delaware’s April 2026 release also identifies the blacklegged tick, lone star tick, and American dog tick as the main tick species responsible for most human bites in the state.

Why Tick Awareness Needs to Be Year-Round

Many people think ticks are only a problem in summer.

That is not accurate for Delaware.

DNREC and DPH specifically note that ticks are active in Delaware year-round. Warmer months increase outdoor activity, which raises the chance of tick encounters, but tick risk does not disappear when summer ends.

This is especially important for:

• Dog owners
• Gardeners
• Hikers
• Hunters
• Campers
• Families with children
• People who live near woods, tall grass, or brush
• Visitors spending time outdoors in Delaware

You do not have to be deep in the forest to encounter ticks. They can be found in yards, trail edges, leaf litter, brushy spaces, and grassy areas.

How to Reduce Your Risk of Lyme Disease

The good news is that tick bite prevention is practical.

Delaware health officials recommend taking simple steps before and after spending time outside:

• Wear long pants and long sleeves in wooded or grassy areas.
• Tuck pants into socks when walking through tick habitat.
• Wear light-colored clothing so ticks are easier to spot.
• Avoid tall grass, leaf litter, wooded areas, and brush when possible.
• Walk in the center of trails.
• Use EPA-registered insect repellent.
• Check yourself, children, and pets for ticks after being outdoors.
• Shower soon after coming inside.
• Remove attached ticks promptly using fine-tipped tweezers.
• Keep yards maintained by mowing regularly and removing leaf piles.

Pet owners should also use tick prevention products year-round for animals that spend time outdoors.

What to Do If You Find a Tick

If you find a tick attached to your skin, remove it as soon as possible.

Use fine-tipped tweezers, grasp the tick close to the skin, and pull it out gently with steady pressure. Do not use heat, petroleum jelly, or other substances to try to force the tick to detach. After removal, clean the bite area with soap and water, rubbing alcohol, or hand sanitizer.

Delaware officials also recommend saving the tick in a sealed bag or taking a photo before disposing of it. Knowing the tick species can help determine what diseases you may have been exposed to.

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

The Bottom Line

Yes, the resources support the claim.

The strongest Delaware source directly states that more than 350 cases of Lyme disease, Delaware’s most common tick-borne disease, were reported in 2025. The previous year’s state data showed 344 cases in 2024, reinforcing that Lyme disease has been a continuing concern. National CDC data also supports the larger point that Lyme disease should be taken seriously, with tens of thousands of reported cases and hundreds of thousands of estimated diagnoses and treatments each year in the United States.

For Delaware residents and visitors, the takeaway is clear.

Ticks are not just annoying. They can carry real health risks. Lyme disease is the state’s most common tick-borne disease, and prevention should be part of every outdoor plan.