Keep Away from the Little Bloodsuckers*: Tick Season is Upon Us - Stay Safe!
Tick infestation on the rise: Safeguarding measures to consider - A multitude of ticks encountered along the path.
Who wants to be a tick's lunch?
Mind your step in nature these days, folks! It's advised by the Lower Saxony State Health Authority (NLGA) that the risk of encounters with the little bloodsuckers, ticks, is on the rise. Tick activity is currently sky-high, according to NLGA virologist Masyar Monazahian, who spoke to the German Press Agency. These critters thrive in moist and warm environments. And a bite from one of these uninvited guests could land you some dangerous diseases like early summer meningoencephalitis (FSME) and Lyme disease.
Properly arm yourself against FSME with a vaccination. This precaution is recommended for anyone who lives in an FSME risk area, travels there, or spends lots of time outside for work. In Lower Saxony, the district of Emsland has been an FSME risk area since 2019, and the district of Celle is the second high-risk area this year. In recent years, the virus has also popped up in various locations throughout Lower Saxony, Monazahian noted.
Sadly, no magic juice for Lyme disease just yet.
Unlike FSME, Lyme disease is passed on by ticks, and no vaccine is currently available. The initial symptom of this pesky ailment is usually a growing redness surrounding the bite area. If left untreated, thecondition could affect your nerves, joints, and even your heart. A tick should be removed as quickly and carefully as possible after a bite, as the Lyme disease bacteria takes several hours to pass on to you.
Take these precautions when frolicking in the woods, on the edge of fields, or even in your local park or garden: wear sturdy shoes, light-colored clothing, and don't forget to slather on some tick repellent. However, don't neglect to check your entire body thoroughly once you're back indoors after a nature adventure.
Up to 40% of adult ticks are currently infected with borrelia bacteria -- the nasty little pathogens that cause Lyme disease. In the young ones, it's between 15 and 20%, which is significantly higher than 20 years ago. Thanks to milder winters and climate change, ticks are now year-round active, leading to increased reproduction.
"May was dry, but tick activity has not decreased," warned Monazahian. This weekend, with temperatures reaching up to 30 degrees Celcius and rain, it's essential to remain extra vigilant. High humidity, especially during thunderstorms, is a tick's favorite weather.
The Skinny on Ticks
- Tick
- FSME
- Lower Saxony
- Hannover
- German Press Agency
- District of Emsland
- District of Celle
- Virus
Tips for Tick Safety
- Gear up: Put on long-sleeved shirts, long trousers, and closed shoes when venturing outdoors. Use tick repellent on clothing and skin, and wear light-colored clothing to spot ticks more easily.
- Check it out: Inspect yourself for ticks regularly after spending time outdoors. Remove any attached ticks promptly and correctly using tweezers, grasping the tick as close to your skin as possible and pulling upward with steady, even pressure.
- Vaccinate against FSME: A vaccination is available and recommended for those frequently exposed to tick bites, especially in high-risk areas.
- Avoid ticks: Stay away from areas with high grass and leaf litter where ticks are more likely to lurk. Use tick-repellent clothing or gear treated with permethrin.
Symptoms and Treatment
FSME (TBE)
- Initial symptoms include fever, headache, and fatigue that may progress to encephalitis or meningitis.
- Treatment typically involves supportive care as there is no specific antiviral treatment for TBE.
Lyme Disease
- Early symptoms include a distinctive "bull's-eye" rash, fever, headache, and fatigue. If left untreated, it can lead to neurological and joint issues.
- Antibiotics are effective in treating Lyme disease, especially if caught early.
Stay informed about local tick activity and disease prevalence, consult a healthcare professional for personalized advice, and take adequate precautions to ensure you avoid becoming a tasty snack for these little bloodsuckers! For vaccinations and specific health advice, reach out to a local healthcare provider or a travel clinic for updated, personalized guidance.
- In addition to the risks of FSME and Lyme disease, EC countries are also reminders of the importance of employment policy in various workplaces, particularly those with high exposure to ticks.
- Workplace-wellness programs could include education about tick safety, as mental-health and fitness-and-exercise initiatives do.
- Medical-conditions like respiratory-conditions may make individuals more susceptible to the effects of ticks, as skin-conditions can affect tick bites and the subsequent reactions to them.
- Therapies-and-treatments for Lyme disease are currently limited, but science continues to pursue developments in the field.
- Nutrition, including the consumption of CBD, may offer some potential benefits for overall health and wellness, potentially including improved immune response to tick bites.
- Skin-care practices can help prevent tick bites and reduce the risk of skin-conditions such as those caused by tick bites.
- Neurological-disorders, such as those caused by Lyme disease, underscore the necessity of rigorous employment policies that prioritize health and safety in the workplace, particularly in areas with high tick activity.
