This is Tick Alert Week, 7 to 13 May, 2007, and is a campaign which aims to raise awareness of tick-borne disease. After mosquitoes, ticks are the most serious insect for carrying disease to humans and their numbers are on the increase in the European countryside, including the UK.
Tick Borne Encephalitis (TBE) is endemic in 27 countries across mainland Europe, with 10,000 cases a year, and in the UK there were 684 cases of Lyme disease last year. TBE attacks the nervous system and can result in serious meningitis, brain inflammation and even death.
Anyone visiting the countryside is at risk from tick bites, but you can also be at risk when spending time in public spaces including beer gardens, picnic spots, parkland and open gardens. People taking part in outdoor activities and adventure pursuits such as camping, hiking, trekking, cycling and climbing are at particularly high risk.
To avoid tick bites, use a suitable insect repellent; keep all skin covered and tuck trousers into socks. Inspect skin for ticks and remove as soon as possible.
Detailed information and practical advice is available from MASTA.
Labels: Europe, Lyme Disease, outdoor, TBE, Tick Borne Encephalitis, Ticks, UK, walking
