Door County is affected by Lyme disease but not to the extent of some other counties in the state. Door County Public Health Registered Sanitarian Chelsea Smies says there were just over two dozen cases in 2017 locally which compares to more than 1,000 cases in the hardest hit counties. Lyme disease is a bacterial infection that occurs when you are bitten by a tick. Smies points out it is a common misperception that the disease can be transmitted immediately.

The most obvious symptom for someone struggling with Lyme disease is a large bullseye-like rash. The disease affects the nervous system and the consequences can be permanent although most do improve over time.