Health officials in Door County, Wisconsin, are warning hikers to be cautious due to an increase in anaplasmosis cases, a bacterial infection caused by tick bites that can lead to flu-like symptoms. The number of hospitalizations from tick bites has seen a significant spike, with eight reported cases last week, including five taken to the hospital.
According to Door County Public Health, a mild winter is to blame for the increase in tick populations and prevalence. This, combined with warmer weather conditions, makes it easier for ticks to breed and thrive. Statewide, SSM Health reports that urgent care clinics saw three times as many tick bite cases this June compared to last year.
Health strategist Shauna Blackledge advises hikers to take precautions by wearing bug spray, covering ankles, wearing light clothing, and thoroughly checking their bodies for ticks. She recommends washing the bite with soap and water, removing it with tweezers, and avoiding burning the wound, which can release toxins back into the body.
Blackledge emphasizes that while most tick bites are not severe, hospitalizations from tick bites are a concerning sign of an increased risk. She encourages anyone bitten to monitor for symptoms like fever or rash and report them to their doctor.
Meanwhile, researchers at the Marshfield Clinic Research Institute are collecting thousands of ticks to study which species are more prevalent, where they are found, and what microbes they carry. The public can request a specimen kit to mail in their ticks, helping to shed light on this growing tick-borne illness issue.
Source: https://www.wbay.com/2025/07/15/tick-bite-hospitalizations-increasing-door-county