Wisconsin could be in for 'a big year' for Lyme disease as tick bites soar
WPR • • health
Key Points:
- Wisconsin is experiencing higher tick activity this April compared to last year, with emergency room visits for tick bites doubling, driven by warmer weather causing ticks to emerge earlier than usual.
- Spring is considered the most dangerous season for tickborne illnesses like Lyme disease, and experts predict 2024 could be a severe year due to warm and wet conditions that favor tick survival and activity.
- Lyme disease cases in Wisconsin have quadrupled over the past 20 years, reaching a record 6,469 cases in 2024, partly due to increased awareness and reporting, with climate change contributing to longer tick activity periods.
- Deer ticks, which can carry Lyme disease and other illnesses, have spread throughout the state, increasingly appearing in residential areas and raising the risk of human and pet encounters.
- Health officials advise prompt identification of tick species and early medical consultation after a tick bite, as timely antibiotic treatment within 24 to 72 hours can prevent severe Lyme disease complications.
