Lyme disease on the rise

THE culprit is so small that it’s difficult to see, but it can strike with deadly effect. Cases of Lyme disease are increasing in Britain and people here are again being urged to take precautions.

The disease is transmitted by tick bites and counties Cork, Kerry, and Wicklow are high-risk areas, according to Eoin Healy, who completed a doctorate on the tick population in Ireland, 40 years ago. The Co Galway region has one of the highest rates of the disease in Europe. Tick Talk Ireland is carrying out an awareness campaign, amid fears that the disease could rise here as a result of climate change. Deer, sheep, and cows are hosts to ticks that can cause the disease. They feed off the animals’ blood and have an anaesthetic in their jaws so you may not even know you have been bitten.

Lyme disease can go undiagnosed and some infected people show no symptoms. The commonest evidence of infection is a rash in about three quarters of victims. It can last up to a month and can be several inches in diameter. People can also complain of flu-like symptoms such as headache, sore throat, neck stiffness, fever, muscle aches, and general fatigue.