Warning over tick bites during warmer weather
WETTER weather earlier in the year followed by warmer, sunnier spells this month in Devon may make pets and people more prone to ticks when walking in woodlands or long vegetation, Public Health Devon has warned.
Steve Brown, director of Public Health Devon, said: “Ticks thrive in warmer weather and in lush vegetation – and, with warmer weather and people taking to the outdoors for recreation, woodlands and overgrown paths are likely to have ticks living among them.”
There are approximately 1,500 cases of Lyme disease, commonly spread by ticks, in England and Wales each year.
April to June is traditionally prime time tick season, and the level of cases of Lyme disease is routinely higher in Devon than England’s average levels.
Confirmed case levels of Lyme disease in Devon last year were 5.6 cases per 100,000 people, compared to an average 1.5 cases per 100,000 for England. The South West average last year was 3.5 cases per 100,000.
Mr Brown said: “Confirmed cases of Lyme disease in the South West, and Devon in particular, are usually a lot higher than the England average..
“Lyme disease is a bacterial infection that can be spread to humans by infected ticks. It’s usually easier to treat if it’s diagnosed early.”
Ticks are small spider-like creatures, which feed on blood of host animals, including humans. They can vary in size, from the size of a small freckle to a baked bean.
Some can carry bacteria that pass diseases such as Lyme disease, so Public Health Devon say it is important that people are aware of the risks and know what steps to take to reduce risk.
Early symptoms include a ‘bulls eye’ rash around the site of the bite, and flu-like reactions such as fatigue, fever, chills or muscle aches.
Mr Brown said: “Prevention and being prepared to respond quickly is the best form of protection against these diseases, as removing a tick promptly reduces the risk of infection.
“Typically, ticks are found in dense vegetation and woodland areas, as it offers them protection.
“Walking on defined paths, covering up as much as possible, wearing light coloured clothing so that they’re easier to spot and wearing an insect repellent that can deter ticks from climbing onto skin, are all sensible precautions.
“And it’s important to carry out regular tick checks after any outdoors activity, as spotting them early allows you to act promptly.”
The experts’ advice on removing ticks is to use fine-headed tweezers, or a tick removal tool, to hold on to the tick as close to the skin as possible, then slowly pull upwards. This will remove the whole tick at once, avoiding infection. After, the site should be cleaned with an antibacterial wipe.
If you are worried you have not removed the entire tick, or you suffer symptoms after a tick bite, you should contact 111, visit your GP or an A&E minor injuries unit.
Liz, from the Holsworthy area, took steps after returning from holiday in Spain: “I noticed a red mark on the back of my leg. It didn’t itch but it was quite large and like a ring with a red mark in the centre it looked like a bulls eye. The GP confirmed Lyme disease from an infected tick and prescribed a month’s course of antibiotics.” After the antibiotics, Liz began to regain her strength and has not suffered from any long-term symptoms.