May Communicable

Disease Updates

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A jump start on tick season

It's too soon to know if we're going to have a worse tick season this year overall. However, we're seeing an earlier increase in tick bites this year in the U.S. compared to previous years.

In Eau Claire County, reports of Lyme disease have been increasing over the past couple of weeks. That's normal for us, considering the time of year and the warmer temperatures.

No matter what the upcoming tick season might look like, we're approaching peak and it's time to take precautions:

• Know where ticks are commonly found. Grassy, brushy, and woody areas are ticks' favorite places, but many people also pick up ticks in their yard or neighborhood.
• Avoid walking through wooded or brushy areas or tall grass, but if you must, wear long pants and tall socks.
• Use an insect repellent while outside. It'll also help prevent mosquito bites. Visit the EPA's website to find an effective insect repellent that works for you.
• Check your body and clothing for ticks after being outside. 

Source: CDC Tick Bite Data Tracker

Respiratory illness activity is low

Respiratory illness activity is very low in western Wisconsin right now. COVID, influenza, and RSV are all at "low" or "very low" levels and decreasing, based on data from emergency department visits.

Source: Wisconsin Respiratory Illness Tracker, May 9

Hantavirus: What you need to know

Hantavirus has been in headlines since an outbreak and three deaths were reported on a cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean in early May.

Risk to the general public right now is very low. To date, no cases of hantavirus linked to this outbreak have been confirmed in the U.S. The risk of a pandemic caused by this outbreak and overall risk to the American public and travelers remains extremely low, the CDC has said. We're monitoring news of the outbreak and remain in communication with our state and federal partners.

What is hantavirus? Hantavirus infections are relatively rare. Most cases happen from contact with rats and mice, especially when people are exposed to rodent droppings, urine or saliva.

Hantaviruses can cause serious illness and death. The type of hantavirus that's linked to the current cruise ship outbreak - the Andes virus - is the only type of hantavirus that's been known to spread from person to person. Even in that case, person-to-person spread usually only happens when someone has close contact with the sick person.

More information about the current outbreak is available at the World Health Organization's website.