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CONTACT: Stephanie Marquis, (608) 266-1683
LYME DISEASE REMAINS A HEALTH THREAT IN WISCONSIN
MADISON - As warmer weather increases time spent outdoors, state
health officials report that Lyme disease illnesses in Wisconsin remain at
high levels.
"Everyone should take precautions against tick bites, especially
between May and August when people are more likely to be exposed,"
said Dr. Seth Foldy, State Health Officer. "Deer ticks are often hard
to see- they range from about a poppy seed to a sesame seed in size, but
the tick's size increases after feeding on its host. It is important to
check yourself often for ticks, paying special attention to the head,
scalp, armpit, groin and area behind the knee."
Lyme disease is caused by a bacteria carried by deer ticks, which are
found in many parts of the U. S. including Wisconsin. One early symptom of
Lyme disease is a characteristic "bulls-eye" rash known as
erythema migrans (EM), which appears typically between 3 to 30 days after
the bite of an infected tick.
The EM rash consists of a reddened area, often with a clear area in the
middle, at the original site of the tick bite. The rash typically expands
in size to cover a large area (usually greater than two inches) over a
period of days or weeks, or may even appear in several places on other
parts of the body. Most people infected with Lyme disease will develop the
EM rash, but not everyone develops the skin rash.
It's important to consult a physician immediately if you have been
bitten by a deer tick and develop symptoms such as fever, headache,
chills, pain in the muscles or joints, enlarged lymph nodes, or facial
paralysis. Lyme disease is treated with antibiotics and is treated more
easily when detected early.
"Ticks actually have to bite you and remain attached for at least
24 hours to transmit Lyme disease. If you find a tick, remove it slowly
and gently by using a pair of thin-bladed tweezers. Avoid folk remedies
like petroleum jelly, nail polish remover or burning matches - these are
not safe or effective ways to remove ticks," Foldy said.
People can take steps to avoid tick bites and reduce the chance of
getting Lyme disease:
- Avoid wooded and bushy areas with high grass and lots of leaf litter
since ticks prefer these areas. If you do go into areas like this, try
to stay in the center of a cleared trail to avoid contact with
overgrown grass and brush.
- Use effective tick repellants and apply according to the label
instructions. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
recommends that adults use repellants with 20-30% DEET on exposed skin
and clothing to prevent tick bites. Repellants that contain permethrin
can also be applied to clothing.
- Wear clothes that will help shield you from ticks. Long-sleeved
shirts and long pants are best. Tuck your pants into the top of your
socks or boots, to create a "tick barrier." Light-colored
clothing will make any ticks easier to spot.
- Landscape homes and recreational areas to reduce the number of ticks
and create tick-safe zones by using woodchips or gravel along the
border between lawn and wooded area. It is also important to continue
to remove leaf litter and clear tall grass and brush around the houses
throughout the summer.
- Protect your pets from tick bites by checking your dog or cat for
ticks before allowing them inside. While there is a vaccine available
for pets to prevent Lyme disease, it will not stop the animal from
bringing ticks into the home. Speak to your veterinarian about topical
tick repellant available for pets.
In 2008, Wisconsin had 1,487 confirmed cases of Lyme disease in
comparison to an annual average of 1,348 during the previous five years.
Most Lyme disease infections occurred in the northwestern and west central
regions of the state. However, there have been recent increases in
reported Lyme cases from the eastern regions as well.
For more information, go to http://dhs.wisconsin.gov/communicable/TickBorne/LymeDisease/index.htm
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Last Revised: May 26, 2009 |
