Here's to Your Health

Deer Ticks and Lyme Disease

Posted by North Shore Health Department on June 24, 2010

Communicable Disease, Healthy Lifestyles

In case you missed it. . . . . there was an article in the newspaper on June 15 about deer ticks being discovered at Doctor’s Park in Bayside.  A UW-Madison research team stated there was evidence of an established, breeding population of deer ticks in the area.  It had been thought that deer ticks were usually found in northern Wisconsin and residents in the southern part of the state did not need to worry unless they were traveling north.  This is definitely not the case.

Now is a good time for everyone to become more aware of deer ticks and their ability to carry communicable disease, including Lyme disease.  Prevention of tick bites is important and not too difficult.  Some very simple habits can help protect you:

• Walk in the middle of trails and avoid sitting on logs and leaning on trees.
• Wear a hat, long-sleeved shirt, shoes and socks, and long pants. 
• Consider appropriate repellents.
• Wear light colored clothing to make it easier to spot ticks.
• Do tick checks immediately after outdoor activity and again 24 hours later.

 If you do find a tick, remove it carefully with tweezers (be sure to get all the parts) as soon as possible and call your doctor.  In most cases, a tick must be attached for 36-48 hours before disease is transmitted so it is worth your while to do a tick check.  You may be able to prevent disease.

Symptoms of Lyme disease can begin within a few days or up to a month after a tick bite.  70-80% of victims have a “bull’s eye” rash at the site of the bite.  Fatigue, fever, headache, mildly stiff neck, and muscle aches can be other acute symptoms.  Left untreated, Lyme disease can continue to progress and cause more serious illness. 

More information about Lyme disease can be found at http://www.cdc.gov/Features/LymeDisease   and http://dhs.Wisconsin.gov/communicable/tickborne/lymedisease.