WARNING OVER LYME DISEASE
WICKLOW Uplands Council is reminding those in upland areas to take care against tick bites and Lyme disease during the summer and autumn months
Lyme disease is an infection that is transmitted through the bite of a tick infected with a bacterium called Borrelia burgdorferi.
Ticks get the bacteria by biting other infected animals, like deer and mice. Most people who get tick bites do not get Lyme disease. Not all ticks are infected but the risk for contracting the disease increases the longer the tick is attached to the body.
You can tell if you have been bitten by an expanding area of redness which becomes noticeable at the site of the tick bite. This may not be noticeable until up to a week after the bite has occurred.
The rash is neither itchy nor painful. Ticks tend to go for sensitive areas of skin, like under arms/groin area/behind ears, and therefore can go unnoticed.
Some people report flu-like symptoms at this stage, including fever, chills, headaches, fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, joint pain, and muscle aches.
Further rashes may develop, and there may be periods of pain and weakness in the arms or legs. Facial-muscle paralysis (Bell’s palsy), and poor memory are other symptoms of Lyme disease.
Other symptoms that may not appear until weeks or months after a tick bite include pain and swelling in the large joints – especially knees, nervous system abnormalities and heart-rhythm irregularities. These symptoms may occur in patients who were not treated, or inadequately treated, at an earlier stage of the disease and are very uncommon.
Most Lyme disease can be cured using antibiotics, especially when the infection is diagnosed and treated early. Later stage diagnoses might require longer-term, intravenous antibiotics.
Wicklow Uplands Council also offers ways to best avoid being bitten or infected. When out in the countryside walking stick to the pathways. Avoid wooded, bushy and grassy areas especially in summer months.
Cover up. Wear long trousers and long-sleeved shirt and shoes that cover the entire foot. Tuck your shirt into your trousers and your trouser legs into socks and wear a hat. Also spray insect repellent with 20 per cent to 30 per cent DEET on your clothes. After being outdoors wash and dry your clothes at high temperature and do a careful body check for ticks especially ears, under the arms, behind knees, and the scalp. Dogs can carry ticks home which can then go on to bite family members so check them for ticks.
Sheep sale, Tuesday, July 19 There were 174 sheep on offer. Very good trade for all classes of lambs. Steady trade for ewes.
Butcher Lambs €105 to €112 or €60 to €66 over €/kg, Factory Lambs €94 to €104 or €54 to €62 over €/kg, Store Lambs €76 to €92 or €40 to €55 over €/kg, Fat Ewes €100 to €120 per head, Feeding Ewes €72 to €96 per head.
Cattle sale, Wednesday, July 20 A real strong trade for quality stores eg: two Charolais bullocks weighing 457 kg made €1150. There was a big demand for heifers between 350kg and 450kg. Sample prices: Bullocks: 385 kg €820 Ch, 435 kg €990 He, 457 kg €1150 CH, 495kg €1145 SIM, 535kg €1230 LM, 520 kg €1120 BB. Heifers: 230 kg €415 CH, 425kg €860 AA, 440kg €790 AA, Fat Cows up to €1100.
Sheep sale, Saturday, July 16. The sale was much bigger this week with prices well maintained. Prices: 50-60kg made from €103€115, 45-50kg made from €95€102, 40-45kg made from €88 - €95, Stores made from €70 - €87. Cast Ewes made from €45 - €112, Breeding Ewes, 2, 3 & 4s made from €95 - €125, Hoggets made up to €150. Entries are now invited for a sheep show and sale on Saturday, August 6 at 11 a.m.
Sheep sale, Thursday, July 21 There was a bigger sale 3800 sheep on offer. Strong trade for all classes with prices similar to last week. Butcher & Factory Hog €97- €111, Store Lambs: over 35kg €75-€90, under 35kg €65-€86. Cast Ewes: Heavy Ewes €100-€112, Lighter Ewes €50-€90, Breeding Ewes: Hog Ewes €130-€175, Older Breeding Ewes €90-€140.
Cattle sale, Saturday, July 23 There were 550 cattle and 40 calves on offer. Strong demand for good quaility Beef & Forward Cattle with lighter/plainer cattle easier trade.2 BB Blks 470kg €1170, 2 LM Blk 960kg €1890, 4LM Blks 840kg €1750, 2 HD Blk 910kg €1810. Beef & Forward Blks 650 - 960 over, Cont Store Store Blks 550 - 850 over, FR Blks 250 - 600 over, Beef Hfrs 550 - 900 over, Store Hfrs 350 - 720 over, Weanlings Bulls 450 - 900 over. Beef Cows 350 - 680 over, Store Cow 170 - 400 over.
Calves: FR Bulls €80 - €180, Cont Bulls €190 - €375, Cont Hfrs €100 - €340.