Sparta Area Chamber of Commerce September Newsletter 2020 | Page 6

6 - The Sparta Ambassador - September 2020
PROTECT YOURSELF FROM LYME DISEASE
It is spring in Monroe County and Monroe County Health Department reminds everyone
to be on the lookout for deer ticks that can cause Lyme disease, and to take steps to protect
themselves.
Lyme disease is a bacterial infection spread by a tick named Ixodes scapularis (commonly
called the black-legged or deer tick). According to Sharon Nelson Director/Health Officer,
81 confirmed cases of Lyme disease were reported to the Health Department in 2019.
Lyme disease, a bacterial disease, is the state’s most frequently reported tick-borne illness.
Signs and symptoms may occur 3 days to 30 days after the bite of an infected tick and
may include a characteristic rash called erythema migrans (EM), fever and chills, fatigue,
headache, muscle and joint pain, and swollen lymph nodes. The rash is typically circular
and red initially and expands over several days, although it may not occur in all cases.
When detected early, Lyme disease is easily treated with antibiotics. If left untreated,
Lyme disease can result in debilitating arthritis, and serious heart and nervous system
complications.
Adult Deer Tick
Other tick-borne diseases diagnosed in Wisconsin include the bacterial diseases anaplasmosis and ehrlichiosis, the parasitic disease
babesiosis, and Powassan virus disease. Signs and symptoms of these illnesses can range from mild to severe. Persons who become
ill may experience fever, chills, sweats, muscle aches, joint pain, headache, fatigue, nausea and vomiting, and loss of appetite. Severe
illnesses can include a change in mental status, paralysis and coma, and can be fatal. Anaplasmosis, ehrlichiosis, and babesiosis are
treatable with antibiotics. There is no antibiotic or antiviral treatment for Powassan virus infection.
It is important to remember that ticks are present in all counties in Wisconsin. People living in any county in Wisconsin can contract
Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases. Follow the prevention tips below to reduce your chances of being bitten by a tick.
• Avoid wooded and brushy areas with high grass and leaf litter because ticks prefer these areas. Stay to the center of a trail to
avoid contact with grass and brush.
• Use effective tick repellents and apply according to the label instructions. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
recommends using repellents with 20% DEET on exposed skin and clothing to prevent tick bites. Adults should apply repellents to
children, taking special care to avoid spraying in the hands, eyes, and mouth. Repellents 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 pants into the top of socks
or boots, to create a “tick barrier.” Light-colored clothing makes ticks easier to spot.
• Tumble dry your clothes on high heat for 10 minutes to kill any ticks that may have in on your clothes.
• Check your body frequently for ticks, and remove them promptly. Blacklegged ticks are small and may be difficult to find, so
careful and thorough tick checks must be done on all parts of the body. It is important to pay special attention to areas where ticks tend
to hide, such as the head, scalp, and body folds (armpit, behind the knee, groin). Take a shower or a bath as soon as possible to remove
any ticks that may still be crawling on you.
• Remove attached ticks slowly and gently, using a pair of thin-bladed tweezers applied as close to the skin as possible. Folk
remedies like petroleum jelly, nail polish remover, or burning matches are not safe or effective ways to remove ticks.
• Protect your pets from tick bites by checking your dog or cat for ticks before allowing them inside. While a vaccine may
prevent Lyme disease in pets, it will not stop the animal from carrying infected ticks into the home. Speak to your veterinarian about
topical tick repellants available for pets.
• 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. Continue to remove leaf litter and clear tall grass and brush around houses throughout
the summer.
For more information contact Monroe County Health Department at 269-866 or visit http://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/communicable/
TickBorne/index.htm
For information on insect repellents: http://cfpub.epa.gov/oppref/insect