MILWAUKEE — Wisconsin is in an endemic area when it comes to ticks.

What You Need To Know

  • Wisconsin is a hot spot for ticks

  • According to the CDC, the number of cases of Lyme Disease is grossly underestimated nationwide

  • Protect yourself with long sleeves, pants and a hat if you’re in a wooded area

  • Know the signs of Lyme Disease

Cases of Lyme Disease, transmitted by ticks, have also increased steadily across the state.

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Associate Professor of Health Science, Dean Nardelli, said just about every year there are a significant number of reported cases. Several thousand that are actually reported and, according to Professor Nardelli, many more go unreported.

“We’re in this area where there’s this perfect storm of ticks that would carry the bacteria that causes Lyme Disease, the different animal reservoirs; deer, small mammals and all of that,” Nardelli said. “It’s just sort of an ecological fact that we’re in one of the hot zones.”

Nardelli said over the past 20 years or so, the number of reported cases of Lyme Disease has increased dramatically.

“It sort of leveled off the last couple years, with several thousand cases, but then again, the last couple years have been atypical.”

He believes the numbers reported are way under actual cases and also said, “the CDC has even stated that nationwide the number of cases of Lyme Disease has been grossly underestimated.”

Bottom line: the best way to protect yourself is to avoid contact with ticks. If you’re headed to a wooded area or a spot with shrubs or tall grass, make sure your skin is covered. Wear long sleeves, pants and a hat. And don’t forget the insect repellant. Once you get inside, do a thorough check for ticks. Showering can also wash off any ticks not yet embedded.

Symptoms of Lyme Disease are about the same for adults and children.

“About three-quarters of the cases [...] will manifest initially in the days to weeks afterward with this expanding rash from the site of the tick,” he said.

The rash doesn’t always develop; Nardelli said some people will just have flu-like symptoms.   

He warned if untreated, the microbes spread through the body and cause an inflammatory response, which can lead to arthritis, affect the nervous system and potentially the heart.