A CDC spokesperson told Newsweek that "the number of babesiosis cases reported each year has increased over time."

Climate change is making tick-borne illnesses more common, which makes tick prevention strategies even more critical.

A tick bite can look like a red, swollen area on your skin. There may also be a bull's eye around the bite. Sometimes, the tick will still be attached to you.

Tick exposure is higher this year than any of the last three years, an experts said. Plus, a new species is surging.

Staff at one of Chicago's largest hospital systems say they are seeing increased tick-bite cases, but there is not enough data to know if the city is entering a spike in cases.

Blacklegged ticks and Lone Star ticks carry diseases in Virginia. They live in the forest leaf litter or in shaded, grassy areas. Ticks do not climb high on vegetation, so they must hitch a ride by first climbing up your shoes or socks. So, tuck your pants legs into your socks to help prevent ticks from climbing up your bare leg under your pants.