According to a story from the Green Bay Press Gazette, the beginning of summer is rapidly approaching and with warming temperatures comes the emergence of ticks. These little parasites are usually no more than a minor and disgusting nuisance typically, but in reality these animals can carry host of potentially severe infectious diseases. Lyme disease is probably the most well known, but others are possible as well, such as babesiosis and anaplasmosis.

Different tick species have been traced to different diseases. Wisconsin records an average of 3,500 Lyme disease cases each year. The species of ticks you can encounter may vary depending on where you live, but in this region, wood ticks (Dermacentor variabilis), deer ticks (Ixodes scapularis), and the lone star tick (Amblyomma americanum) can be found.

Deer Ticks

Deer ticks are most well known for spreading Lyme disease. This time of year is also a time when new broods of tick nymphs are emerging and it is possible to encounter a large number of them at once. While the younger nymphs are less likely to carry the bacteria that can cause Lyme, their smaller size (around the size of a poppy seed) makes them tougher to detect. This means they are likely to attach for a longer period of time, increasing the chance of transmitting pathogens.

If you’ve been bitten, keep an eye out for the characteristic bull’s eye rash that is diagnostic of Lyme disease infection; however, not all people with the disease develop the rash.

Babesiosis is also spread by deer ticks, though it is less common than Lyme disease. This illness starts out with flu-like symptoms but has the potential to be fatal if left untreated. The second most prevalent illness spread by the deer tick is anaplasmosis, with 600 or 700 cases reported annually in Wisconsin. Symptoms include fever, elevated liver enzymes, and a drop in platelet and white blood cell counts. This is another disease where prompt treatment with antibiotics is necessary to avoid more severe symptoms and potentially death.

While these are the most prominent diseases of concern in the Wisconsin region, readers should note that wood ticks can cause Rocky Mountain spotted fever and the lone star tick can transmit alpha-gal meat allergy (also called alpha-gal syndrome), which can cause an affected person to have a severe allergic reaction to mammalian meat and meat products.

Disease Prevention

The best way to avoid these diseases is with preventive measures. Ticks are likely to be present in areas with tall grass or thick vegetation, particularly where there is plenty of shade and moisture. Wearing long pants and sleeves can also be a protective barrier that can prevent ticks from attaching and give you more time to detect them. Common repellents containing Deet are also effective.

If you do enter areas that could hold ticks, always check yourself thoroughly afterwards. Tick removal should be conducted as soon as possible. A pair of tweezers can allow you to fully remove the tick by grasping as close to the head and mouthparts as possible. Avoid squeezing an attached tick that is engorged with blood.

The summer can be a time for outdoor adventure and recreation, but being vigilant about ticks is essential to avoid unpleasant and potentially dangerous illness.