Residents of Central New York would be wise to take extra precautions during their next hike in the woods as the number of reported tick bites continue to rise.

While some tick bites may be harmless, ticks are infamous for possibly carrying Lyme disease, a debilitating illness that can be transmitted to humans through bites.

According to Dr. Joseph Rahimian, an infectious disease specialist at St. Vincent’s Hospital in New York City, “It can cause skin manifestations, joint manifestations and it can even affect your heart and brain”.

Lyme disease is a serious health concern, and education and an early diagnosis is the key to avoiding health complications.

“What I want people to know is that if I knew what I know right now, I wouldn’t be sick right now if I went to a doctor as soon as I found a tick on me. I’d be fine”, said Kellie Loerzel, who contracted Lyme disease during a trip North Carolina.

New York state reports an average of 6000 tick bite cases every year, which accounts for more than a quarter of tick bites nationwide.

Northeastern states are home to the deer tick, one of two tick species known for carrying Lyme disease, and in Central New York, deer ticks carrying Lyme disease have been detected all over.