Wisconsin’s Tick Activity Surges: Public Advised on Prevention and Awareness
As tick season hits its peak in Wisconsin, the state’s Department of Health Services (DHS) is actively observing an increase in tick activity. The latest surveillance report highlights nymphal deer ticks as the primary contributors to this trend. These tiny ticks, comparable to the size of a poppy seed, are notorious for transmitting Lyme disease and other tickborne illnesses more effectively than their adult counterparts.
“Nymphal ticks are harder to spot due to their small size, making them more likely to go unnoticed, and remain attached for longer, so they have a higher potential to transmit disease,” explained Rebecca Osborn, a Vectorborne Disease Epidemiologist. To prevent tick bites, she recommends the use of insect repellent, wearing permethrin-treated clothing, and conducting daily tick checks.
Monitoring and Data Collection Efforts
DHS is employing a bi-weekly tick sampling strategy across Iowa County, Lincoln County, and Waupaca County. This involves a technique known as “tick dragging,” where a cloth is dragged through vegetation to collect ticks for analysis at 15-meter intervals.
“Sampling in local communities helps us gather data to better understand where ticks are, how many we see, and then provide information to help people understand any risk for illness,” noted Xia Lee, Public Health Entomologist. The collected data is shared through updated tick surveillance reports and an interactive tick bite tracker, which also monitors emergency department visits related to tick bites.
Public Guidance and Resources
Residents who discover ticks on themselves or others can use the DHS Tick Identification Service for quick identification by submitting questions and photographs online.
For those planning outdoor activities, DHS advises the following precautions:
- Wear long sleeves, pants, and socks, preferably in light colors to easily spot ticks.
- Apply insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or IR3535.
- Treat clothing with permethrin, avoiding direct skin application.
- Stick to the center of trails and steer clear of wooded, brushy areas with tall grass.
- Conduct thorough tick checks after outdoor activities, focusing on body areas like armpits, knees, scalp, ears, belly button, and groin.
- Shower within two hours of outdoor activities to remove unattached ticks.
- Dry clothes on high heat for 10 minutes to eliminate ticks.
Actions for Tick Removal
If a tick is found, it is crucial to remove it promptly and correctly:
- Use narrow-bladed tweezers to grasp the tick close to the skin and apply steady pressure.
- If tweezers are unavailable, use fingers protected by tissue paper or gloves.
- Clean the bite area and hands with rubbing alcohol or soap and water.
- Avoid crushing the tick; instead, dispose of it by placing it in alcohol, sealing it in a bag, wrapping it in tape, or flushing it down the toilet.
Even without noticing a tick bite, individuals who experience flu-like symptoms such as fever, rash, aches, headache, or fatigue after outdoor exposure should consult a healthcare provider about the possibility of a tickborne disease.
While not every tick bite results in illness, taking preventive measures is essential for safety. More information on ticks, related diseases, and prevention strategies can be found on the DHS website, including sections on tick information, tickborne illnesses, and tick bite prevention.
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