Lyme disease warning in Sussex (From The Argus)
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Lyme disease warning in Sussex
1:30pm Thursday 21st April 2011 in News By Siobhan Ryan, Health Reporter
Experts are warning that a walk in the countryside could end up being a health hazard.
The Health Protection Agency says cases of Lyme disease are on the rise and areas such as the South Downs and parts of West Sussex are particularly at risk.
The disease is transmitted through tick bites which are more common at this time of year.
More people are expected to be out and about in the warmer weather over the Easter weekend and following week, leading to a greater risk of being bitten.
The tiny spider-like insects are found in most parts of the Downs, forests and heathland areas around Sussex and the rest of the South East.
Most Lyme disease cases reported in the UK are acquired in this country rather than overseas, often through activities such as walking, trekking and mountain-biking.
A spokeswoman for the HPA in Sussex and Surrey said: “It's important that people take preventive measures against tick bites and also look out for ticks after visiting affected areas.
“Ticks that can transmit Lyme disease are very small – about the size of a poppy seed – and can easily be overlooked, so it is important to check regularly for attached ticks on the skin.
“Most ticks do not carry the infection but if one is found it should be removed promptly, as infected ticks are unlikely to transmit the organism if they are removed in the early stages of attachment.
“Ticks can be removed with tweezers or special tick hooks, pulling gently upwards away from the skin.
“People who develop a rash or other symptoms after a tick bite should consult their GP.”
Comments(5)
Rita Snatch
says...
6:48pm Thu 21 Apr 11
Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto is the main cause of Lyme disease in the United States, whereas Borrelia afzelii and Borrelia garinii cause most European cases. The disease is named after the town of Lyme, Connecticut, USA, where a number of cases were identified in 1975. Although Allen Steere realized Lyme disease was a tick-borne disease in 1978, the cause of the disease remained a mystery until 1981, when B. burgdorferi was identified by Willy Burgdorfer.
Lyme disease is the most common tick-borne disease in the Northern Hemisphere. Borrelia is transmitted to humans by the bite of infected ticks belonging to a few species of the genus Ixodes ("hard ticks"). Early symptoms may include fever, headache, fatigue, depression, and a characteristic circular skin rash called erythema migrans. Left untreated, later symptoms may involve the joints, heart, and central nervous system. In most cases, the infection and its symptoms are eliminated by antibiotics, especially if the illness is treated early. Delayed or inadequate treatment can lead to the more serious symptoms, which can be disabling and difficult to treat. Lyme disease is a biosafety level 2 disease.
http://en.wikipedia.
org/wiki/Lyme_diseas
e
redwing
says...
8:58am Fri 22 Apr 11
lymielady
says...
1:42pm Fri 22 Apr 11
I can only assume by Stan's comments that he does not know anyone who has contracted lyme but I sincerely hope he heeds the warnings and advice given by this article.
Thankyou Argos for posting this article at the end of Bada-uk's (borrreliosis & associated diseases awareness) Tick Prevention Week, a charity set up to promote the dangers of tick bourne infections which sadly often get missed in the early stages when the disease is easily and quickly treated but when not treated can cause many varied and disabling conditions.
Bada's patron is Ray mears who himself had lyme disease.
For more information on Lyme disease I would encourage everyone to visit the bada-uk.org web site. This year they have especially concentrated on giving advice for schools.
crazeelegz
says...
5:58pm Fri 22 Apr 11
stan bailey says...
3:04pm Thu 21 Apr 11