More people are visiting Wisconsin emergency departments for tick bites this year, data shows
More people are visiting the emergency department for tick bites this year in Wisconsin compared to last year at this time, according to new data from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.
According to the data, rates of tick bite-associated visits to emergency departments in Wisconsin are slightly up from last year at 79 visits for tick bites per 10,000 ED visits, according to data from May 26 to June 1.
Ticks are usually active in Wisconsin from May to November, but the pests are starting to make their appearance earlier than previous years as Wisconsin experiences warmer winters, according to the DHS.
"We've had several consecutive warm winters in Wisconsin, so this could be boosting tick populations again this year," wrote DHS spokesperson Elizabeth Goodsitt.
"It's also possible that some of the increase in tick bite-related emergency department visits could be from other factors ... like better awareness of tick-related illnesses, their associated symptoms, and when to seek health care," she added.
While ticks are active, Wisconsinites can contract Lyme disease, a bacterial infection spread by deer ticks. Rates of Lyme disease have tripled in Wisconsin over the past 15 years, according to DHS. In 2023, Wisconsin had more than 6,000 cases of Lyme disease, the highest on record. About 4,000 cases were reported each year between 2018 and 2022.
RELATED: Ticks are out in force across Wisconsin right now. Here's what to do after a tick bite
You can scan the QR code in the photo above and fill out the survey to receive more information from the DHS.
Health care providers should also report cases to the local health department. Make sure to complete your report within 72 hours of recognizing a case. For more information, you can visit the state DHS web page on disease reporting.
Before heading outside, you can treat your clothing and gear with a chemical insecticide called permethrin. Permethrin can be used to treat boots, clothing and camping gear and remains on gear through several washings. You can also buy permethrin-treated clothing and gear.
When you're outside, avoid wooded areas with high grass, and walk in the center of trails. After you come indoors, check your clothing for ticks. You can tumble dry your clothes in a dryer on high heat for 10 minutes to kill any ticks.
Additionally, dogs are especially susceptible to tick bites because they are more likely to run through wooded and grassy areas. Talk to your veterinarian about the best tick prevention products for your pet.
Check your pets regularly for ticks, especially after they spend time outdoors. Be sure to look for ticks around the tail, ears and eyelids, and under the front legs, back legs and between the toes. If you find a tick remove it immediately.
Lyme disease is a bacterial infection spread by deer ticks, which are small, and can often go unnoticed. Symptoms typically develop three to 30 days after being bitten by a tick.
The symptoms include:
Fever
Chills
Fatigue
Muscle aches
Joint pain
Nausea
Expanding rash, often in the shape of a bullseye
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Rates of tick bites, Lyme disease up in 2025 in Wisconsin, Milwaukee
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