Tick Alert How to avoid Lyme Disease and TBE

Ticks are increasing in many parts of Europe because of changes in farming practices and climate change. If you are travelling or go on holiday and visit rural areas you are at an increased risk from tick bites, particularly if you are camping, hiking or trekking, cycling or climbing. 

1. ASSESS: know about Ticks - TBE and Lyme Disease

Tick Borne Encephalitis (TBE) is a serious disease affecting Europe

• 10'000 people contract TBE in Europe every year, over 200 die every year
• 80% of TBE cases result from outdoor leisure activities
• 3 in 4 people with severe TBE suffer meningitis (a serious infection of the protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord)
• 30% of severe TBA cases may need hospital treatment
• 1 in 5 people with severe TBE can suffer encephalitis (inflammation of brain tissue)

Tick Borne Lyme Disease is a serious disease affecting the UK - NEW reliable self test now available!

• 3 to 30 days after the bite, the first visible symptom of Lyme disease is a pink or red circular rash commonly called ‘bull’s eye’ 
• at this stage you may already be infected which can result in longer treatment 
• initial symptoms of Lyme disease are similar to flu, such as tiredness, headaches and muscle or joint pain
• if left untreated, additional symptoms may develop even months or years later and include muscle pain, joint pain and swelling, neurological symptoms including temporary paralysis of the facial muscles

2. PREPARE - prevent TBE and Lyme Disease 

What you can do to prevent being bitten by ticks - before you go:

• buy an insect repellent that is effective against ticks; 
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  • for example CarePlus 40% anti-insect spray availbe as DEET; NATURAL or SENSITIVE

• get a tick remover tool and see the VIDEO on how to remove a tick safely

• most important: get a tick self-diagnostic test for Lyme disease causing Borreliose bacteria 

3. STAY SAFE - enjoy your time outdoors and...

• use insect repellent that is effective against ticks; CarePlus 40% anti-insect spray DEET; NATURAL or SENSITIVE
• dress to avoid contact:
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  • avoid wearing shorts in rural and wooded areas
  • tuck trousers into socks
  • as much as possible cover all exposed skin with protective clothing
• check your skin for ticks and remove as soon as possible with an appropriate tweezer or a tick remover tool
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  • DO NOT use alcohol or any other substance to anaesthetize the tick
  • DO NOT bother the tick in any other way, e.g. with a burning cigarette, this may cause the tick to be more active
  • DO NOT crush the tick
• test for Lyme Disease Borreliose bacteria - get results fast, show your doctor to initiate appropriate treatment 
• in addition: in TBE areas avoid unpasteurised milk or cheese which may also be infected with the virus 

Duncan Wingham CEO @NERCscience sets out key areas for research following #ukclimaterisk report incl pests/diseases pic.twitter.com/OXTv68iHqG

— CCC (@theCCCuk) July 12, 2016

4. Recover 

More information and resources on ticks and tick-borne diseases:

Encephalitis Society; Meningitis Now; the British Mountaineering Council (BCM); BigTick Project; 
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control maintains map information on ticks in Europe 
Leaflets for download are available from PHE/Gov.UK; booklet funded by the BMC; pdf from British Orienteering; Care Plus PDF

also of related interest: Insect Sting Allergy - the facts (Anaphylaxis Campaign)