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Ticks in England can carry infections including Lyme disease and very rarely tick-borne encephalitis (TBE), says the UK Health Security Agency - which urges people to be 'tick-aware' Ticks are most active in the months April to July, and sometimes later in the autumn - the time when many of us are outside. The UK Health Security Agency has compiled a guide to protecting yourself from tick-borne infections, which this weekend has been shared by Bury Council. A spokesman posted: "Planning on enjoying the great outdoors this Easter Weekend? "Here are some simple actions to help you to 'Be Tick Aware'' For more information on advice by the UK Health Security Agency visit https://ukhsa.
blog.gov.uk/2024/03/21/what-is-lyme-disease-and-why-do-we-need-to-be-tick-aware/ Where are ticks found? Ticks are particularly common in grassy and wooded areas.
This means those hiking, cycling or camping are more at risk of being bitten. People are also be exposed to ticks while on a walk in some urban parks and gardens. READ MORE: Brits warned about 'monster ticks' after sightings in the UK and Europe Tick bites and Lyme Disease Vet issues Lyme Disease warning to all dog owners amid tick season - how to spot Warning after councillor contracts Lyme Disease How to avoid tick-borne infections While walking in green spaces, stick to clearly defined paths and try to avoid brushing against vegetation where ticks might be present.
Also consider wearing clothing that covers your skin to make it more difficult for ticks to access a suitable place to bite. Use insect repellent (for example DEET) and regularly check clothing or exposed skin so that you can spot any crawling ticks and brush them off. After spending time outside, check yourself, your clothing, your pets and others for ticks.
Remove any attached tick as soon as you find it using a tick-removal tool or fine-tipped tweezers and ensure that ticks are not squashed during removal. What is Lyme disease? Lyme disease is an infection that can be transmitted by ticks found in the UK. The disease can be acquired when someone is bitten by an infected tick, usually outdoors in green spaces where ticks might be present.
The UK Health Security Agency states that "Lyme disease should not deter you from enjoying the outdoors because you can reduce your chance of infection by following the precautions above". What are the symptoms of Lyme disease? One of the most common symptoms is a spreading, ‘bullseye’ rash at the site of the tick bite which typically develops 3 to 30 days after being bitten. This rash does not occur in all cases.
Other symptoms include mild flu-like symptoms such as fever, headache and fatigue, a facial droop, nerve pains and numbness or tingling in the hands or feet. The majority of tick bites will not cause Lyme disease. There are around 1,500 laboratory-confirmed cases of Lyme disease in England and Wales each year, although an estimated 1,000 to 2,000 more people are diagnosed each year based on clinical assessment rather than laboratory tests.
Can Lyme disease be treated? In the UK, Lyme disease is an uncommon infection and can be successfully treated with antibiotics. If untreated, it can cause a wider range of symptoms in some people such as multiple rashes on other parts of the body, facial droop, shooting nerve pain and, rarely, palpitations or joint swelling. Most patients treated in the later stages of infection also respond very well to antibiotics, although some may have long-term damage to their joints or the nervous system.
(Image: UK Health Security Agency) What to do if you have symptoms of Lyme disease If you become unwell (for example with a spreading circular rash, flu-like symptoms, nerve pain or a droop on one or both sides of the face) within a few weeks of being bitten by a tick, contact your GP or dial NHS 111 promptly. Not everyone will realise that they were bitten by a tick, so you may still develop Lyme disease symptoms without remembering a tick bite. What is tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV)? TBEV is a viral infection that spreads through tick bites.
Although it is prevalent in many parts of the world, including several European countries, in the last few years, ticks carrying TBEV have been found in a few areas in England. A very small number of human TBE cases have been diagnosed that are thought to have been acquired in the UK. What are its symptoms? TBEV causes a range of presentations, from completely asymptomatic infection to mild flu-like illness, all the way to severe infection in the central nervous system such as meningitis or encephalitis (swelling of the brain).
Symptoms of encephalitis and meningitis can include a high fever with a headache, neck stiffness, confusion, seizures or fits, reduced or loss of consciousness. Seek urgent medical attention if you or anyone you know experiences: severe headache stiff neck pain looking at bright lights a fit (seizure), if not known to be epileptic sudden confusion or change in behaviour weakness or loss of movement in arms and legs facial drooping, change in vision or slurred speech More information can be found on the NHS website. If you think you have been bitten by a tick and have symptoms, contact your GP practice and accept the treatment that is offered to you.
For more information visit https://ukhsa.blog.gov.
uk/2024/03/21/what-is-lyme-disease-and-why-do-we-need-to-be-tick-aware/.
