Friday, May 15, 2026- Health officials in Dane County, Wisconsin are warning residents to stay alert as tick-related urgent care visits rise sharply compared to last year.
Public Health Madison & Dane County reported at least 35 urgent care visits linked to tick bites in just one week — more than double the number recorded during the same period in 2025. Officials say the spike signals an aggressive start to tick season, with warmer weather and increased outdoor activity creating ideal conditions for dangerous tick exposure.
The growing concern extends far beyond simple insect bites. Ticks in Wisconsin are known to spread serious illnesses including Lyme disease, Powassan virus, anaplasmosis, and ehrlichiosis. Health experts say many people underestimate how quickly symptoms can escalate after exposure.
Early warning signs often include fever, fatigue, headaches, muscle pain, and skin rashes that may appear days or weeks after a bite. Nationally, emergency room visits linked to tick bites have already reached their highest rate in nearly a decade, according to recent CDC-related reporting, highlighting how rapidly the problem is intensifying across the United States.
Officials are now urging residents to take prevention seriously as summer approaches. Experts recommend using insect repellent, wearing long clothing in wooded or grassy areas, performing full-body tick checks after outdoor activities, and removing attached ticks immediately and properly.
Public health authorities warn that climate conditions are helping ticks spread faster and survive longer seasons, increasing the risk of disease transmission in regions that previously saw lower activity levels. With cases rising across multiple states, Dane County’s surge is being viewed as part of a larger nationwide public health concern tied to the expanding threat of tick-borne illnesses.
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