Ticks are spreading in Wisconsin as is Lyme disease they carry

May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month, and data from a study recently released shows Wisconsin recently recorded the highest number of Lyme disease cases in state history.

Experts are urging residents to be mindful of the ticks carrying the disease as they become more active across the state. There’s 16 different tick species in Wisconsin but experts are most focused on the “black-legged tick,” or “deer tick,” in the transmission of Lyme disease. Experts recommended taking preventive measures when spending time outdoors like wearing protective clothing and using insect repellent. They also added you should perform tick checks and shower after any outdoor activity.

The number of reported Lyme disease cases has tripled over the past 15 years, according to state data. Lee noted the Wisconsin Department of Health Services conducts surveillance and tracking of ticks for the public, including a tick identification service and a dashboard reporting ER visits for tick bites.

Experts say if you are bitten by a tick in Wisconsin, there’s about a 50-50 chance it’s carrying Lyme disease. The risk of Lyme disease transmission increases with the duration of tick attachment, which is why prevention and early detection are important.

Some early symptoms of Lyme disease include fever, headache, fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, joint and muscle pain and a rash. If left untreated, more complicated conditions can develop.

Experts say deer ticks have spread from northwestern Wisconsin to every county in the state over the past 30 years.