Deer herds blamed for growth of Lyme disease

By BRITAIN’S soaring deer population is leading to the growing problem of Lyme disease, scientists have warned.

At the turn of the century there were only around 250 reported cases in the UK each year, but now the NHS says the figure is closer to 3,000.

Lyme disease is transmitted through ticks which feed on deer and then can be picked up by dogs and their owners when they walk through woodland.

The British deer population now stands at around 1.5 million, the highest it has been for 1,000 years, with numbers doubling since 1999. Urban foxes and house cats are also targets for ticks and can spread disease.

Professor Richard Wall, of the University of Bristol, said: “The primary problem is deer and anywhere that you have lots of deer, you get lots of ticks.

“Dog owners should be careful if they are walking their pets in areas where deer are present. Make sure [your dog is] given anti-tick treatments and avoid long grass.”

Populations have been rising since the 1963 Deer Act stopped the animals from being treated as vermin. They also have no natural predators. Lyme disease can be a serious health problem for both humans and dogs, leading to heart failure, meningitis, memory problems, paralysis and even death.

The problem is made worse by owners taking their pets abroad, because the disease is more common in ticks on the continent.

Ticks can also infect dogs with the potentially fatal disease Canine Babesiosis, which can also jaundice and anaemia.

Vets are calling for regulations to force pet owners to use anti-tick treatments when travelling abroad. Studies show around three quarters of dogs returning from Europe have ticks.

Wildlife expert Chris Packham said: “I really want people to get behind the campaign to bring back mandatory tick treatment for dogs going abroad to reduce the risk of the spread of these diseases to the UK.”

Shropshire vet Dr Natalie Morris said: “The Brexit negotiations provide an opportunity to amend the Pet Travel Scheme, but we feel we have to call on the Government to act now before it is too late. With an election looming we want protecting UK pets and borders against ticks to be on the agenda for the new Government team.”