Indiana health authorities have issued a statewide alert following a confirmed fatality from ehrlichiosis in nearby Floyd County this month, marking the first tick-related death in the state this year.
The Indiana Department of Health (IDOH) and Floyd County Health Department have launched a joint investigation into the case, coming after two ehrlichiosis deaths were reported statewide in 2024.
This early-season fatality has prompted renewed warnings about tick activity, which typically spans from early spring through late fall across the Hoosier state.
The risk for tick-borne diseases exists in all parts of Indiana, with particular concern for southern Indiana counties where tick populations tend to be denser due to favorable habitat conditions.
In addition to Floyd County, neighboring southern Indiana counties, including Harrison, Clark, Scott, and Washington, have historically reported tick-borne disease cases at higher rates than northern regions of the state. These areas feature abundant wooded terrain and outdoor recreational spaces like the Hoosier National Forest that increase human exposure to tick habitats.
While ehrlichiosis, caused by bacteria transmitted through infected tick bites, remains relatively rare, it can be fatal if not promptly treated. Symptoms typically appear within 1-2 weeks of a tick bite and may include fever, headache, fatigue, muscle aches, and sometimes a rash.
Health officials emphasized that Lyme disease continues to be the most common tick-borne illness in Indiana, but residents also face risks from Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and alpha-gal syndrome – a condition that triggers allergic reactions to red meat after certain tick bites.
The IDOH recommends multiple protective measures for Hoosiers engaging in outdoor activities:
- Remain vigilant in areas where ticks thrive – especially in low-lying grassy, brushy or wooded environments
- Apply EPA-registered insect repellents containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus, para-menthane-diol, or 2-undecanone
- Treat clothing and outdoor gear with 0.5% permethrin (not for direct skin application)
- Protect pets with veterinarian-recommended tick preventatives
After outdoor exposure, thorough tick checks are essential. Drying clothes on high heat for 30 minutes effectively kills ticks, while showering helps remove unattached ticks. For attached ticks, health authorities advise using tweezers to grasp close to the skin and pull outward with steady pressure, followed by thorough washing of the area.
Health officials strongly advise seeking medical attention for anyone who becomes ill after finding an attached tick, emphasizing the importance of mentioning the tick exposure to healthcare providers. Most tick-borne diseases respond well to antibiotic treatment when diagnosed early.
For comprehensive information about tick prevention and associated diseases, Hoosiers can access resources on the IDOH website, which includes an interactive data dashboard tracking tick-borne disease cases across the state.
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