PET owners in Cheshire are being warned cases of a ‘nasty’ disease spread by ticks, which affects both humans and animals, are set to increase.
Lyme disease is the UK’s most common tick-borne infection, spread to humans through the bite of an infected tick.
As the weather warms up, tick activity increases, and more and more people head for the countryside where the chances of encounter one are higher.
While anyone can get Lyme disease, pet owners are at greater risk due to their increased chance of encountering ticks.
The most obvious sign of Lyme disease in humans is a rash, often referred to as a bull’s-eye rash, due to its appearance.
Other symptoms include ‘summer flu’, headaches, stiff neck, facial palsy (especially in children), fatigue, joint and muscle pain, and generally feeling very unwell.
In dogs, owners should look out for intermittent limping which moves from leg to leg, fever, loss of appetite, and swollen lymph nodes and joints.
Infected ticks have been found across every county of the UK, preferring grassy areas and woodland, but have also been found in urban parks and gardens.
It is estimated that up to one in 10 ticks in the UK carry Lyme disease.
With Cheshire’s glorious countryside right on our doorstep, many people will be keen to get outside with their pets as the weather warms up.
But spending more time among nature means a heightened risk of tick bites.
May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month and the charity, Lyme Disease UK, is urging the public to look out for these dangerous arachnids which may carry the disease.
Natasha Metcalf, the charity's co-founder and chair, said :"We don't want people to be scared of enjoying the outdoors.
"We’d rather people go out armed with the facts and knowledge they need to protect themselves and others from Lyme disease.
“Early intervention is key, and getting that message out to the public is crucial."
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) says there are around 1,500 laboratory-confirmed cases of Lyme disease in the UK each year, with between 1,000 and 2,000 more cases diagnosed clinically.
Since the UK’s first confirmed case in 1985, the recorded incidence of Lyme disease has steadily been increasing.
The reasons for this are complex, but may be related to climate change, as well as changes in land management and biodiversity.
Julia Knight, the charity’s outreach manager, said: “Everybody should enjoy the great outdoors but we all need to be tick aware.
“Simple precautions to avoid tick bites are the best way to limit the risk of ever contracting Lyme disease.
“If a bite occurs, the knowledge of how to deal with it and what signs and symptoms to look out for are essential so diagnosis and treatment are given as quickly as possible.
"This limits the risk of any longer-term symptoms.
“Always be tick aware.”
The NHS says you should see your GP if you’ve been bitten by a tick and have flu-like symptoms, feel sick, or have an oval or round shape rash on your body.
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