The ‘Tick Alert’ campaign

Date - 20 Jun 2006

1000's of walkers risk a deadly disease.

The ‘Tick Alert’ campaign is warning UK travellers about Tick Borne Encephalitis (TBE), a viral disease contracted via the bite of an infected tick. It can lead to meningitis and in serious cases result in paralysis and death, with about one in 30 cases proving fatal.

Travellers to 16 central and eastern European countries, including Germany, Switzerland and Austria, are at risk where the TBE-infected tick population is officially endemic – especially those visitors who have not been immunised or taken bite prevention precautions.  

Other at-risk areas include many of the new popular European outdoor holiday destinations such as Croatia, the Czech Republic, Slovenia and Slovakia, where there is a growing family and outdoor adventure travel market. It is estimated that there are over 3,000 cases each year in endemic countries.

TBE-infected ticks are found typically in rural and forest areas from late spring and throughout summer. At-risk groups include all visitors to rural areas of endemic countries, particularly those participating in outdoor activities such as trekking, hiking, climbing, cycling and camping.

A number of measures can be taken to reduce the risk of infection: using an insect repellent, wearing trousers and long-sleeved clothing to cover all areas of exposed skin, regularly inspecting for tick bites and carefully removing any found. The disease can also be transmitted by the ingestion of unpasteurised milk which should be avoided.

Tick diseases are not only found abroad. Families planning camping and activity holidays in rural areas of the UK are being urged to protect themselves against home-grown tick diseases. It is estimated the number of UK cases of Lyme disease could be as high as 2,000 a year.

However, the Foreign Office advises that visitors to TBE endemic regions seek inoculation advice from their local surgery or clinic – well before travelling.

Lyme disease is caused by ticks carrying the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, while TBE is caused by ticks carrying flaviviruses.

Symptoms of Lyme disease include acute, arthritis-like symptoms, lethargy and loss of appetite. If left untreated it can lead to severe lameness, neurological problems and even death.

The risk areas for ticks carrying Lyme disease in the UK include Exmoor, the New Forest, the South Downs, parts of Wiltshire and Berkshire, Thetford Forest, the Lake District, the Yorkshire moors and the Scottish Highlands.

A number of measures can be taken to reduce the risk of infection: these include using an insect repellent, wearing protective clothing to cover all areas of exposed skin, regularly inspecting for tick bites and carefully removing any found. The disease can also be transmitted by the ingestion of unpasteurised milk which should be avoided

More information.