As summer approaches, health officials are warning that Lyme disease could be particularly prevalent in the Northeast.

Research shows the number of mice found in forested areas the previous year correlates to how intense that year will be for Lyme cases. Last summer’s count was high, and mice are known to transmit Lyme to ticks. According to AARP, this summer could see a record increase in the tick-borne illness in broad regions of the Northeast and upper Midwest.

In 2015, according to the CDC, 95 percent of confirmed Lyme disease cases were reported from 14 states — 12 of which are in the Northeast.

Lyme disease is spread through the bite of infected deer ticks, which can latch on to any part of the human body and feed on blood. But the places in which they are found are often difficult to see without a thorough inspection — the scalp, back and groin, for example. In most cases, the tick must be attached for 36 to 48 hours or more before Lyme disease can be transmitted.

The CDC instructs:

Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi. Symptoms of infection can include fever, headache, fatigue, facial paralysis, arthritis and a skin rash called erythema migrans. 

If left untreated for days to months, the disease can result in episodes of dizziness, nerve pain, inflammation of the brain and spinal cord, severe headaches, neck stiffness and more. It can also spread to the joints, heart and nervous system. 

According to the CDC, most cases of Lyme disease can be treated with a few weeks of antibiotics. Some of the most common antibiotics include doxycycline, amoxicillin or cefuroxime axetil. Patients with certain neurological problems or cardiac illnesses may require intravenous treatment with drugs such as ceftriaxone or penicillin.

When living in areas where Lyme disease is common, there are several ways to prevent exposure to ticks. AARP lists the following ways to protect yourself.