SC Wisconsin News

With the arrival of tick season, Aspirus Health is marking Lyme Disease Awareness Month by urging individuals and families in the Upper Midwest to take preventive measures against tick bites and the illnesses they can cause.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported over 89,000 cases of Lyme disease in 2023, highlighting a significant rise from previous years. This increase underscores the growing public health concern surrounding tick-borne diseases.

Ashley Johnson, a nurse practitioner at the Aspirus Tick-Borne Illness Center, stated that ticks become active when the ground is uncovered. "The warmer it gets, the more active they become," she noted.

Ticks are prevalent throughout much of the region and can transmit serious infections such as Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, Powassan virus, and tick-borne relapsing fever. Deer ticks or black-legged ticks are primary carriers of Lyme disease. Their nymphs are particularly easy to miss and more likely to spread infection.

Dr. James Thatcher from the Aspirus Tick-Borne Illness Center mentioned another type of tick: “There is actually a soft tick that we call the rustic cabin tick,” he said. “It only comes out at night and can live for 15 to 20 years. It carries a different form of Borrelia, which causes tick-borne relapsing fever.”

Aspirus suggests several methods to minimize the risk of tick bites:

- Wear light-colored clothing and tuck pants into socks

- Use EPA-approved repellents like DEET or permethrin-treated gear

- Consider natural repellents made with cedarwood, clove, or thyme

- Conduct full body checks after outdoor activities for both people and pets

- Remove ticks gently with fine-tipped tweezers

Johnson advised caution when removing ticks: “When you remove a tick, you do not want to irritate it,” she explained. "If you squeeze the belly or try to burn it off, it could release bacteria into your body."

Symptoms of Lyme disease vary but often include fever, fatigue, joint pain, and rash. Without early treatment, symptoms may progress or persist.

The Aspirus Tick-Borne Illness Center offers comprehensive care for acute and chronic tick-borne illnesses in addition to providing preventative treatments for recent bites. Dr. Thatcher emphasized their role: “We are in a unique position to bring immediate relief and help prevent chronic Lyme disease.”