Where are the most cases of Lyme disease in Wisconsin? See rates in your county

Alex Groth, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Tick populations are thriving in Wisconsin and causing increasing rates of tick-born diseases across the state, according to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.

Rates of Lyme disease in Wisconsin have more than doubled in the past 15 years. In 2022, Wisconsin had 5,327 reported cases of Lyme disease, according to the DHS. However, the actual number of Lyme disease cases in the state is estimated to be much higher than reported.

Here's the number of reported cases in Wisconsin counties with the most recent data from 2022, according to DHS.

RELATED: Ticks are out in force across Wisconsin right now. Here's what to do after a tick bite

Where are the most cases of Lyme disease in Wisconsin?

Ticks usually live in shady wooded areas and will cling to tall grass and plants. In the past three decades, they've expanded their range farther into southern parts of the state, including Milwaukee. You're more likely to see ticks in urban areas as deer populations have recovered and expanded and tick populations, which rely on deer as a food source, have increased with them.

Waukesha and Dane counties had the highest number of reported Lyme disease cases in 2022, according to the DHS.

In 2022, Waukesha county reported 292 total Lyme cases, and Dane County had 264.

Marathon County was slightly behind at 234 total reported cases of Lyme disease in 2022. Iron and Lafayette counties reported the lowest rates of Lyme disease in 2022 at five and seven, respectively.

Here's how many Lyme Disease cases were reported in Wisconsin counties in 2022, according to the DHS.

What are the symptoms of Lyme disease?

Lyme disease is a bacterial infection spread by deer ticks, which are small in size, and can often go unnoticed. Symptoms typically develop three to 30 days after being bitten by a tick.

The symptoms include:

  • Fever

  • Chills

  • Fatigue

  • Muscle aches

  • Joint pain

  • Nausea

  • Expanding rash, often in the shape of a bullseye

How do you know if you have Lyme disease?

If you think you might have Lyme disease, you should contact your health care provider. CDC recommends a two-step test for Lyme disease using a blood sample. Both blood tests need to be positive for the disease to be diagnosed.

Most Lyme disease tests work by detecting antibodies made by the body in response to the infection. These antibodies can take several weeks to develop, so you can test negative if you've only been recently infected.

How is Lyme disease treated?

Most cases of Lyme disease are treated with 10 to 14 days of antibiotics, according to the CDC. People who take antibiotics in the early stages of Lyme disease usually can recover completely.

The antibiotics most commonly used to treat Lyme disease include doxycycline, amoxicillin, or cefuroxime axetil.

The CDC does not recommend antibiotics after tick bites to prevent tickborne diseases. In certain circumstances, health care providers can administer a single dose of doxycycline after a tick bite to reduce risk of disease. You can ask your healthcare provider if antibiotics are an appropriate treatment for you.

How to prevent tick bites:

Before heading outside, you can treat your clothing and gear with a chemical insecticide called permethrin. Permethrin can be used to treat boots, clothing and camping gear and remains on gear through several washings. You can also buy permethrin-treated clothing and gear.

When you're outside, avoid wooded areas with high grass, and walk in the center of trails. After you come indoors, check your clothing for ticks. You can tumble dry your clothes in a dryer on high heat for 10 minutes to kill any ticks.

Additionally, dogs are especially susceptible to tick bites because they are more likely to run through wooded and grassy areas. Talk to your veterinarian about the best tick prevention products for your pet.

RELATED: Doctors debate, patients suffer: The fight over chronic Lyme disease in Wisconsin

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Where are the most cases of Lyme disease in WI? See rates by county

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