Lawmakers want to combat Lyme disease with more signs, insect repellent in public parks

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

MADISON - It's officially summer, and lawmakers are aiming to curb the growing problem of Lyme disease in the state through education and prevention efforts.

A bipartisan package of five bills would direct the state Department of Natural Resources to post signs about the tick-borne disease in public parks, sell bug spray with the powerful DEET repellent and conduct an awareness campaign each May.

Deer ticks are the only breed that carry Lyme disease.

The legislation would also create an epidemiologist position in the Department of Health Services focused on the disease and establish a 16-member study committee tasked with recommending to the Legislature policy changes regarding awareness, prevention and treatment of Lyme disease.

Democratic Sen. Mark Miller of Monona, one of the sponsors of the bills, said raising awareness about Lyme disease is important not only for the public, but also for health care professionals. He said the disease often goes misdiagnosed.

"Increasing awareness ... will reduce the chances of people getting Lyme disease or other tick-borne illnesses and increase the chances that, if you do get it, it'll be diagnosed properly and the treatment handed to you quickly," Miller said.

Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show Wisconsin had the fourth highest number of reported cases of Lyme disease in the country in 2017. DHS data shows the number of cases of Lyme disease has increased over the past 30 years and estimated Wisconsin had 3,105 cases in 2018.

Lyme disease is contracted through a bite from an infected deer tick. If left untreated, the infection can spread to joints, the heart and the nervous system, according to the CDC. Symptoms include fever, headache, fatigue and a skin rash, typically in a bull's-eye pattern.

DHS spokeswoman Jennifer Miller said permanent damage from Lyme disease is "quite rare." But she added that long-term damage to the nervous system is possible in patients who were not treated until the later stages of the disease.

Green Bay Republican Sen. Robert Cowles, who is also sponsoring the legislation, said he has friends who have suffered from the effects of Lyme disease. He predicted that, once the bills have a public hearing, many people will come forward in support of the legislation.

"These five bills we hope will promote this issue enough so people will have a good handle on this as time goes by," Cowles said. "It is something the Legislature has to pay attention to."