Numerous locations in the United States are home to a number of tick species, including the deer tick. Most Lyme disease patients never saw the tick that bit them or any sign they were bitten.

Butler County residents should be aware of deer ticks, which can transmit Lyme disease to humans and pets.

That’s the word from local experts who deal with the freckle-sized ticks and the health issues they cause every day.

Dr. Reginald Reginella, an emergency medicine physician with Butler Health System, said the Butler Memorial Hospital emergency room continues to see patients who present either a telltale bullseye rash that denotes a tick bite or symptoms that could be Lyme disease.

He said now is the time of year when ERs see the most tick-bite patients, but he is not noticing more patients this year than in previous years.

Reginella said while some patients see the bullseye rash and go to their family doctor or the ER, most Lyme disease patients never saw the tick that bit them or any sign they were bitten.

A portion of this story is shared with you as a digital media exclusive. To read the full story and support our local, independent newsroom, please subscribe online.