The UK Health Security Agency has published updated guidance on ticks and the diseases they can transmit, as the changing climate creates conditions that are allowing tick populations to expand their range and to be active for longer periods of the year.
Ticks are small arachnids that feed on the blood of animals and humans. They are found in woodland, grassland and urban parks, and they are most active between March and October. Ticks can transmit several diseases, the most significant of which is Lyme disease, a bacterial infection that can cause a characteristic circular rash, flu-like symptoms and, if left untreated, serious complications affecting the joints, the heart and the nervous system.
The guidance provides practical advice on how to avoid tick bites: wear long sleeves and trousers when walking in areas where ticks are present, use insect repellent, check your body for ticks after being outdoors, and remove any ticks you find promptly and correctly using fine-tipped tweezers.
The guidance also provides information on what to do if you are bitten. The most important thing is to remove the tick as soon as possible — the risk of disease transmission increases the longer the tick is attached — and to watch for symptoms of Lyme disease, particularly the characteristic rash. If you develop symptoms, you should see a doctor promptly, as early treatment with antibiotics is highly effective.
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