According to University of Wisconsin health officials, the tick population has grown across the state over the past two decades and some carry a rare virus known as Powassan.
The CDC says says from 2006 to 2015 16 people were infected with the virus.
Symptoms of Powassan usually appear one to two weeks after being exposed to an infected tick bite.
They include fever, confusion, vomiting, stiff neck, and in more severe cases. It can lead to life-threatening complications. UW Health officials say its deadlier than Lyme disease.
"It attacks the brain itself, causes inflammation and infection of the brain and because of that patients who have had this viral encephalitis can have significant neurologic problems, if they recover," said UW Health Dr. Jeannina Smith.
A doctor with Aurora Baycare Medical Center in Green Bay tells us he has worked at his current hospital three years and has not seen any cases of Powassan virus, but said he sees cases of Lyme disease frequently. He said if you have a tick you should remove it immediately.
“Typically those ticks, to be able for them to transmit viruses and Lyme disease and all those kind of parasites they have to be on your body for at least 36 hours if not longer to be able to feed, and when they’re in the process of feeding the regurgitate and put those viruses in you,” said Dr. Bekoe Opoku-Owusu.
The CDC recommends avoiding wooded and brushy areas to protect yourself from tick bites. They recommend using a repellent that contains at least 20-percent "deet" and when you come inside be sure to do a full body check for ticks.
