6-6-19 preventing tick and mosquito bites

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services has launched a statewide campaign to help people avoid tick and mosquito bites this season.  Lyme disease spread by ticks and West Nile virus spread by mosquitoes are the most common diseases spread by these pests in Wisconsin.  Fond du Lac County Public Health Officer Kim Mueller says in addition to using a mosquito repellent, other tips include wearing light colored, long-sleeved shirts and long pants, check for and safely remove ticks from yourself and pets and take steps to control mosquitos outside your home.  Wisconsin is in the top 20 percent of all U.S. states reporting high numbers of illnesses spread by ticks.  Last year, more than 3,100 cases of Lyme disease were reported in Wisconsin.    There were 33 human cases of West Nile virus reported in Wisconsin.  Mueller says certain dead birds can be a sign of West Nile virus activity in an area.  “Right now we are accepting dead birds.  So if you see dead blackbirds, crows, bluejays, those are the typical birds that we would like to test to see if there is West Nile virus circulating in our community.”