WARMER WEATHER MEANS FAMILIES WILL HEAD OUTSIDE TO HAVE FUN. THAT BRINGS THE ANNUAL WARNING ABOUT TICKS AND LYME DISEASE. THE STATE OF WISCONSIN IS REPORTING A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN CASES OF LYME DISEASE, SPREAD BY DEER TICKS. EAU CLAIRE CITY/COUNTY HEALTH DIRECTOR RICHARD THOUNE (TUNE) SAYS THEY ARE UP HERE AS WELL, AROUND 115 TO 120 CASES PER YEAR. HE BELIEVES THAT'S DUE TO GREATER AWARENESS AND TESTING. THE DISEASE CAN HAVE SERIOUS EFFECTS FOR SOME PEOPLE, BUT THOUNE SAYS IT'S VERY TREATABLE IF CAUGHT EARLY. YOU SHOULD SEE A DOCTOR IF YOU SEE THE TELLTALE BULL'S-EYE RASH ON YOUR SKIN. IT USUALLY SHOWS UP WITHIN 3 TO 30 DEERS AFTER A BITE BY AN INFECTED DEER TICK. LONG SLEEVES AND PANTS TUCKED INTO SOCKS, COMBINED WITH REPELLENT CONTAINING 20 TO 30 PERCENT DEET HELPS KEEP TICKS OFF. IF YOU FIND ONE LODGED IN YOUR SKIN, YOU SHOULD REMOVE IT GENTLY WITH TWEEZERS.