Diseases Due To Ticks On the Rise In UK

Reports have indicated an increase in the number of cases of louping-ill, a virus that is transmitted by blood sucking parasites in the farm animas.

The main areas that are affected have been reported to be around the Devon and Lancashire. Reports have indicated that up to 2,000 people are affected in the recent times with Lyme disease in the UK each year, which is caused by a bacterium that is transmitted to humans through the bites of infected ticks.

Health experts are now trying to investigate as to whether climatic change and a rising population in deer, which are known to host ticks, could be to the reason for the rise. The Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs have announced to have carried out a survey in 136 locations.

Professor Sarah Randolph, from the Department of Zoology at Oxford University, and a leading expert on the subject, who has been studying the results, said, "Evidence does seem to indicate an increase in tick numbers. Everybody seems to be concerned with an increase in incidents of certain diseases. Then there's also the very important issue of tick's hosts, which are mostly deer in the UK, and also sheep and cattle. Deer have spread their distribution, and this is likely to increase the real abundance of ticks."

Health experts have warned the campers and walkers on the possibility of them being exposed to the risk of Lyme disease, which can bring on arthritis, nerve and heart problems. They explained that one of the initial symptoms, would be a very characteristic bulls eye shaped rash. They explained that if diagnosed early then the disease could be treated with antibiotics.



Source: Medindia
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