Early Warning Of The Risk Of Tick Bites As Weather Becomes Warmer
With warmer weather on the horizon, Unionsafety repeats a news article published in April 2011, ahead of this year's Tick Bite Prevention Week (26th MARCH – 1st April 2012):
Tick Bite Prevention Week provides information to help prevent Ticks from biting people and pets. It also gives advice on what to do if ticks do attach themselves. The campaign week is held in early spring when the weather gets warmer and people spend more time outdoors and ticks become more active.
The CWU Health, Safety and Environment Department has been supporting Tick Bite Prevention Week, campaigning to raise awareness of the risks and provide information to Members for a number of years, following several reported cases of CWU Members suffering Tick Bites and subsequently contracting a serious, debilitating Tick-borne infection.
As was the case last year, the CWU have issued a letter to all branches, LTB339/11, advising members of the need to become aware of the increased risk of tick bites and possible infection with Lyme Disease as a result.
Whilst this will be less of a concern for those working indoors, those working up poles and down holes, may have something to be concerned about. However, even those who only venuture out during their lunch breaks or travel to work from rural areas, may have something to be concerned about. Even taking the family dog for a walk in the local park, may put you at risk.
Last year, Unionsafety posted the followign news item based on LTB296/10, and as its relevence and detail has not changed, we once again, publicise the same article, with slight amendments to dates and additional information:
At first glance, LTB339/11 and last years LTB296/10 appearing in CWU Branch offices around the UK may be cast aside as only an engineering or postal workers issue by the majority of office based workers, but further reading of Dave Joyce's letter to branches will enlighten everyone as to the increasing risks from tick bites that even taking a stroll in the park may be placing us all in.
Both LTBs provide some background as to what Ticks actually are:
"Ticks are increasing in Britain and of increasingly urgent concern because they transmit pathogens, such as Lyme Borrelia, Babesia and Louping-ill virus (LIV), that have important impacts on biodiversity, animal and human health.
As the warmer weather encourages people and their pets out into parks and the countryside, others work there, Lyme disease charity BADA-UK (Borreliosis and Associated Diseases Awareness-UK) is warning people to be aware of tick-borne disease.
Ticks carrying Borreliosis (also known as Lyme disease) have been found throughout the UK, so even a stroll or a kick about in a park or gardens could be a health risk.
"Many areas with good ground cover and diverse wildlife (such as squirrels, hedgehogs and deer) can pose a potential risk" says Wendy Fox, Chair of BADA-UK, and a Lyme disease sufferer. "Simple precautions can help to keep us safe".
Tick Prevention Week, organised by BADA-UK, runs from April 11th - April 17th and aims to provide information to help prevent ticks from biting people and pets. It also gives advice on what to do if ticks do attach."
Many people will not have heard of Lyme Disease and so Dave gives us detail of what this actually is:
"Lyme disease is transmitted via the bite of an infected tick and can lead to serious complications including damage to the nervous system, joints, heart and other tissues.
Figures from the Health Protection Agency (HPA) show a year-on-year increase in cases of Lyme disease, with a marked increase over the past six years from 292 in 2003 to 813 in 2008 (the latest figures).
However the HPA estimate up to 3,000 cases every year. Figures released by Health Protection Scotland have shown a dramatic rise in infection rates from 28 confirmed cases in 2001 to 285 cases in 2008."
Dave's LTB then goes into detail about the awareness week itself:
The Message is Don't panic but be 'Tick Aware'!
If you are involved in outdoor leisure or work activities which take you into the countryside or parks and gardens with lots of wildlife (such as birds, squirrels, hedgehogs, rabbits, deer or farm animals), you may be at risk of Tick bites.
Ticks can carry a number of infective organisms causing around 30 diseases which can sometimes make people and pets ill if they get bitten. Simple precautions can help to keep you safe. knowing the risk can help diagnose and treat an illness quicker and more effectively should a bite lead to infection.
3,000 Tick Bites A Year in UK
Up to 3,000 tick bites in the UK and Ireland each year result in Borreliosis (Lyme disease). There are no vaccines to prevent infection. Awareness is the only defence. Make sure you, your colleagues and your family are ‘Tick Aware’!
Defence
Currently there are no vaccines to defend against tick-borne disease in the UK. Therefore, the best defence is to not get bitten by following the top tips for defence.
Top Ten Tips
Simple precautions to help you stay safe include:
1) Out walking, wear suitable clothing: use gaiters, or tuck long trousers into socks, and choose clothes with elastic or drawstrings at the waist, wrist, and ankle, to help deter ticks from crawling under clothes and attaching. Clothing made from smooth or waxed material is hard for ticks to climb, and light-coloured fabrics make them easier to see. Wearing shorts in tick habitat is an invitation to be bitten!
2) Use a repellent: insect repellents that contain "permethrin" can be sprayed on clothing. DO NOT APPLY THIS CHEMICAL DIRECTLY TO SKIN. Allow clothing to dry thoroughly before wearing (N.B. Permethrin is highly toxic to cats. Make sure they do not come into contact with treated clothing).
Repellents that contain 25% "DEET" can be applied to skin but they evaporate quickly and need repeated application. N.B. Confine application to small areas of the arms, legs, and neck, as treatment over large areas can cause toxicity, especially in children. "DEET"-free and herbal products for topical application are available from various outlets.
3) Carry a tick remover: when visiting tick habitat, carry a tick-removal tool and antiseptic wipes. Tick removers are available from the BADA-UK and from some veterinary surgeries and chain pet stores.
4) Walk in the centre of paths: avoid over hanging vegetation at the edge of paths where ticks may be waiting.
5) Have a "tick buddy": when planning an excursion into tick habitat, have a designated "tick buddy" to help you check your body. Pay particular attention to the scalp as ticks can easily hide under hair.
6) Deter ticks from gardens: careful landscaping of park areas and gardens can help to deter ticks, as they thrive in humid environments and avoid sunny, dry areas. The following tips can help you create a "safe zone":
a) Keep leaf litter to a minimum.
b) Keep grass short and cut back overhanging vegetation from the edge of paths.
c) Divide lawns from shrub areas with wood chips or gravel.
d) Keep seating and play equipment away from borders, trees, and bird feeders.
e) Use fencing to divide gardens from deer habitat.
7) Keep pets tick free: tick-control products that are "spot on" or "spray on" are available from veterinary surgeries but are not suitable for all types of animal. Talk to your vet about which control method is suitable for your particular pet.
8) Treat pet accessories with repellents: pyrethrum-based sprays are available from pet shops and veterinary surgeries, and there are herbal repellents available for treating accessories such as dog-jackets and bedding. You can also treat vehicle upholstery if your pet travels regularly. Warning: Pyrethrum-based products are highly toxic to cats and should not be used in households where cats are present. Always follow the manufacturers' instructions to avoid accidental poisoning by overdose.
9) Groom pets thoroughly: make sure you also brush against, as well as with, the hair-growth to see any embedded ticks. Check inside the ears, around the eyes, on the chin and around the muzzle, as well as between pads and toes.
10) Don't bring ticks home: take off outer clothes before going in doors. Ticks are very intolerant to being dried out so suitable clothing can be treated in a tumble dryer to kill any ticks that may remain hidden. Tests have demonstrated that ticks can survive a full cycle in the washing machine and short periods in a dryer so high heat and prolonged periods of drying would be necessary to kill any remaining ticks.
The LTB then concludes by providing some information on Lyme disease:
Facts on Lyme disease
* Lyme disease is caused by a bacterium transmitted via a tick (an insect) bite.
*Lyme disease is usually found in people who have visited areas where ticks are present such as the New Forest, the Highlands and Exmoor. These areas have the right conditions for maintaining the tick life cycle i.e. high humidity in leaf litter or dead vegetation as well as the required animals.
* Ticks feed on a range of animals such as field mice, voles, sheep, deer and horses.
What are the symptoms?
There is a wide range of symptoms, which can be divided into 3 stages. Early-localised Lyme disease - This occurs within 2-30 days after the bite. An expanding red ring develops around the site of the bite. This may be accompanied by a general rash and a fever. Early-disseminated Lyme disease can affect the skin, cardiac, nervous and musculoskeletal systems. Common symptoms include a "flu-like" illness with fever, joint pains, headache and malaise. Skin rashes may occur. Late-disseminated Lyme disease - This may occur years after initial infection and may be in the form of chronic arthritis.
How is Lyme Disease diagnosed?
Normally from clinical symptoms, a history of a tick bite or visit to an area where ticks are common, along with laboratory serology.
Is there any treatment?
Yes. This varies according to the degree of illness, but in all cases will consist of antibiotic therapy.
How is Lyme disease prevented?
The main form of prevention is to reduce the risks of tick bites. When walking through forests and areas where ticks are likely, exposed parts of the body should be covered and insect repellent can be used. Following a walk, the skin should be checked for ticks. If found they should be carefully removed, being careful to ensure the whole of the mouth is also removed. Ticks can transmit Lyme disease as they feed. Ticks on pets should also be removed as soon as seen. Gloves or a cloth should be used to protect the hands.
Further information regarding ticks, including the correct method of removing an attached tick, can be downloaded here
The official Tick Prevention Week website can be visited here
The official website aimed at educating people about Lyme Disease can be found here
Lyme Disease infection rates from HPA here and further information from Europe here
The following documents included in the original LTB are also available from the E-Library Database of this website:
HPA Fact Sheet on Lyme Disease - HPA Fact Sheet on Biting Bugs - New Forest District Council Leaflet on Tick Bites and Lyme Disease
Source: CWU / BDA
