Countryside bite that's dangerous

Thursday May 21st, 2009

People enjoying the British countryside have been warned to beware of tick bites - as growing numbers are causing major complications.

Some 813 cases of Lyme Disease, which is caused by tick bites, were reported in England and Wales in 2008, according to the Health Protection Agency.

This compared with 794 the previous year.

About half the cases are contracted in southern England but the HPA warned that the British national parks were especially risky.

It said that people trekking, biking or camping should be aware of the risks.

The HPA says people undertaking outdoor activities should ensure they remove ticks as soon as possible. The disease can also be treated with antibiotics.

Professor Mike Catchpole, of the HPA, said: "Ticks are very small - about the size of a poppy seed - and can easily be overlooked, so it is important to be aware of the risk from their bites.

"Check for attached ticks regularly and remove them promptly. Most ticks do not carry the infection and infected ticks are very unlikely to transmit the organism if they are removed within a few hours of attachment.

"If the infection is untreated the bugs may spread in the bloodstream and to other parts of the body, including the nervous system, joints and other organs, and some patients may develop complications caused by tissue damage. It is important that infections are recognised and treated at an early stage to avoid the risk of developing these more serious complications."

Tags: Fitness | Traveller Health | UK News

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