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What are the risks?

Lack of awareness

Ticks are tiny, spider-like, blood-sucking creatures. Many people will have seen them on their cat or dog after they have been outside. Ticks can be as small as a pin head, or as large as a coffee bean, once they are filled with blood. But what a lot of people don't realise is that ticks can transmit a number of devastating bacterial, viral and protozoal infections to all manner of wildlife, live stock, domestic pets, and humans.

More contact with ticks

Recent increased risks to humans could be due to a number of probable factors:

  1. An increasing number of residential and business estates are encroaching on rural surroundings.
  2. More people are involved in various outdoor recreational and sporting pursuits.
  3. Climate change has resulted in milder winters. Ticks, which are active at temperatures as low as 3.5°C have more opportunity to feed and breed.
  4. The reduction of sheep dipping has allowed an increase in tick numbers within certain areas of the UK.
  5. Certain species of animals that are favoured hosts for ticks have increased in numbers.

Whatever the cause of the increase, it is important for everyone to be aware of the dangers presented by ticks, and for them to know how to effectively prevent being bitten. If a bite does occur, it is also very important to know how to correctly remove an attached tick, because this can help to prevent infection.

Pets can suffer from tick-borne diseases too

Ticks are not just an occasional nuisance or a passing irritation for your pet. They should be given equal consideration to other health issues, such as vaccinations or dental care.

If your pet goes in fields and woodland, in the park, or even in your garden, ticks may have the opportunity to attach. The most common tick species to attach to pets are the sheep tick (Ixodes ricinus) and the hedgehog tick (Ixodes hexagonus). Both these species carry Borreliosis and other associated infections, which can cause debilitating illness, especially in elderly or immune-compromised animals.

Make sure you keep your pets protected against ticks. Further details can be found at: http://www.bada-uk.org/petsproblems

The risks to travellers abroad

Tick-borne Encephalitis (TBE) is a potentially life-threatening and debilitating viral disease of the central nervous system. It can lead to meningitis and in serious cases result in paralysis and death, with about one in 30 cases proving fatal. The 'Tick Alert' campaign warns travellers to be aware of the risks.

A spokesperson for Tick Alert, said: "Ticks are an increasing risk in many parts of mainland Europe. Experts warn us that Tick Borne Encephalitis is now endemic in 27 countries from areas of Scandinavia down to the Mediterranean."

Vaccinations against TBE are available from MASTA clinics, GP surgeries and healthcare centres. Further details can be found at: www.masta-travel-health.com/tickalert