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Disease fears over ticks
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| DISEASE WARNING: Gill Reesfe fears there may be more cases of Lyme disease after noticing an increase in ticks Picture: FINNBARR WEBSTER/F4604 |
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A POPULATION explosion of ticks hitting West Dorset could spark infectious diseases, it was warned today.
Gill Reese, who is founder of the Lyme Disease Action charity, claimed that the bugs have been thriving in this summer's wet conditions.
She fears that the creatures may pose a danger to anyone walking in woodland, moorland and other grassy areas.
Mrs Reese, of Forston, near Charminster, helps sufferers of the debilitating Lyme disease, which is one of the infections potentially carried by ticks.
She said: "Ticks can carry a number of diseases but the most common is Lyme disease.
"Normally at this time of year the hot, dry summer causes ticks to try and seek damp places like the roots of grass and root mould, but because it's been so wet they haven't died or gone to hide.
"I've never seen anything like the number of ticks that my family alone are picking up in Dorset.
"It's a huge problem for anyone who goes out in the countryside.
"It's a very nasty disease that affects every part of your body and is rather difficult to diagnose."
Some Lyme disease victims develop a reddish-pink rash called erythema migrans, which spreads out from the site of a bite after three to 30 days.
The bacteria enters the bloodstream through the bite.
Sufferers may become feverish and have enlarged lymph glands near to the site of the rash. They may also complain of aches, pains, fatigue, chills, headaches and vomiting but also suffer an enlarged spleen.
The disease is treated by antibiotics which can help prevent later complications, such as meningitis and heart disorders. Arthritis can appear up to two years after the first symptoms.
Ticks are tiny bloodsuckers related to spiders and mites. They feed on animal hosts, mostly deer, as well as humans.
Mrs Reese was struck down with Lyme disease and became seriously ill 10 years ago after picking ticks off her dog. Her illness prompted her to launch the national support group.
The Lyme Disease Action charity is currently lobbying MPs to raise the issue of greater awareness about the threats posed by ticks.
Lyme disease is not a notifiable disease although GPs reports some cases to the authorities.
Dorset Health Protection Team figures showed that there were 768 cases nationally in 2006 compared with 300 in 2003.
In Dorset the number reported went up from 17 in 2005 to 30 in 2006, including 11 in West Dorset.
It said that the number of cases reported may have gone up because campaigns about the condition.
Dorset Primary Care Trust spokesman Teresa Newton said it was down to GPs to report cases.
"We don't know officially that there are any more ticks than usual but it's a sensible thing for people to be wary of at this time of year.
"The symptoms vary quite considerably but it's important for people to take the tick off as soon as they spot them and if they do become unwell they should see their GP."
She added: "The last one was reported on July 1, and as far as we know there haven't been any serious cases in the recent past."
People are urged to be aware of ticks in woodland and heathland where deer may live. Walkers are urged to wear long sleeved shirts and trousers as well as insect repellent.
Light coloured clothes are advised so the ticks can be spotted.
To find out more about the support group click here.
8:26am Wednesday 8th August 2007
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CommentPosted by: Caz, Dorset on 11:32am Wed 8 Aug 07
I'm a regular rambler and I've seen the tick numbers increasing steadily over a number of years. The last two or three years have been particularly bad. I contracted Lyme disease 5 years ago and I wouldn't want anyone to endure what it put me through. I didn't know that the way you remove a tick is so important and can make the difference between you becoming infected or not. I also didn't know how to protect myself or anything about the infection so I never realised what was wrong with me. Nor did my doctor until the infection had spread and become severe. I'm 90% recovered now but I think awareness is extremely important. This is an avoidable infection and had I known what I know now I probably wouldn't have got infected in the first place.
There is also another charity that raises awareness of this issue and they held a national awareness week in spring which was endorsed by the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health. The website has really good information on defensive measures and how to deter ticks from your garden.
See: http://www.tickpreve
ntionweek.org
On their main website they also have leaflets to download for free.
See: http://www.bada-uk.o
rg/leaflets.html
You can also get a brilliant tick removal tool from them which can be used on people and animals. I have one for my dogs and one for me.
Both organisations are doing sterling work and I applaud them.
I'm a regular rambler and I've seen the tick numbers increasing steadily over a number of years. The last two or three years have been particularly bad. I contracted Lyme disease 5 years ago and I wouldn't want anyone to endure what it put me through. I didn't know that the way you remove a tick is so important and can make the difference between you becoming infected or not. I also didn't know how to protect myself or anything about the infection so I never realised what was wrong with me. Nor did my doctor until the infection had spread and become severe. I'm 90% recovered now but I think awareness is extremely important. This is an avoidable infection and had I known what I know now I probably wouldn't have got infected in the first place.
There is also another charity that raises awareness of this issue and they held a national awareness week in spring which was endorsed by the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health. The website has really good information on defensive measures and how to deter ticks from your garden.
See: http://www.tickpreve
ntionweek.org
On their main website they also have leaflets to download for free.
See: http://www.bada-uk.o
rg/leaflets.html
You can also get a brilliant tick removal tool from them which can be used on people and animals. I have one for my dogs and one for me.
Both organisations are doing sterling work and I applaud them.
Posted by: Peter Travis on 11:42am Wed 8 Aug 07
This action is badly needed.
I contracted Lyme disease in the New Forest in 1949. My life has been one long series of undiagnosed illnesses. I am now in permanent pain from a dozen various conditions. My doctors never heard of Lyme disease and I only heard of it a year ago.
It's really too late for me, but others may be warned if only people would listen.
Lyme should of course be a reportable disease.
This action is badly needed.
I contracted Lyme disease in the New Forest in 1949. My life has been one long series of undiagnosed illnesses. I am now in permanent pain from a dozen various conditions. My doctors never heard of Lyme disease and I only heard of it a year ago.
It's really too late for me, but others may be warned if only people would listen.
Lyme should of course be a reportable disease.
Posted by: wiggly, oxon on 9:29pm Wed 8 Aug 07
A friend of mine recently attended the Lyme Disease Action Conference and was told about a device that is used extensively in Sweden for tick removal. The device is called the Trix and the manufacturers website is www.tickremover.com
Hope you find the information useful.
A friend of mine recently attended the Lyme Disease Action Conference and was told about a device that is used extensively in Sweden for tick removal. The device is called the Trix and the manufacturers website is www.tickremover.com
Hope you find the information useful.
Posted by: lisa, hampshire on 12:13pm Thu 23 Aug 07
im going away with my family camping next week and i am concerned about this. we love walking along the cliffs, would it be better not to walk or possibly stay walking along the beach
im going away with my family camping next week and i am concerned about this. we love walking along the cliffs, would it be better not to walk or possibly stay walking along the beach
Posted by: Andy Swanson, Lewdown, Devon on 10:39am Thu 6 Sep 07
I have just spent two weeks in hospital with a total heart blockage which was attributed to Lyme disease. Initially I thought I had contracted the disease when on holiday in Europe, however after reading your web site I believe there is a strong possibility that I caught it in Lyme Regis, West Dorset.
I work as a surveyor for a company that has the contract for coastal monitoring in Lyme Regis. Subsequently I spend a considerable amount of time in and around the bay.
Some of our work takes us up into the overgrowth above Lyme which is where I believe I could have been infected.
I had never heard of Lyme disease and when my pulse rate fell to 25 beats per minute and I could barely walk, I immedaitely visited A&E at Derriford hospital. Here my ECG confirmed a total hearet bloke and I was subsquently admitted to CCU.
After a very anxious week when the possiblity of a pacemeker was very realistic the consultant informed me that I had Lyme disease. My blood needed to be sent away for analysis as there was so little expertise on the illness at Derriford Hospital. I was then put on a drip until my antibiotics arrived.
This disease can have fatal results and the symptoms that I endurred could have been catastophic if I had not been so young and fit (34 years old). If the disease had been treated the week following infection it would have been easily curred. However I was not aware that the disease existed and therefore became very ill two months later.
Education on this is therfore essential to all visitors to region whether for work or leisure.
I have just spent two weeks in hospital with a total heart blockage which was attributed to Lyme disease. Initially I thought I had contracted the disease when on holiday in Europe, however after reading your web site I believe there is a strong possibility that I caught it in Lyme Regis, West Dorset.
I work as a surveyor for a company that has the contract for coastal monitoring in Lyme Regis. Subsequently I spend a considerable amount of time in and around the bay.
Some of our work takes us up into the overgrowth above Lyme which is where I believe I could have been infected.
I had never heard of Lyme disease and when my pulse rate fell to 25 beats per minute and I could barely walk, I immedaitely visited A&E at Derriford hospital. Here my ECG confirmed a total hearet bloke and I was subsquently admitted to CCU.
After a very anxious week when the possiblity of a pacemeker was very realistic the consultant informed me that I had Lyme disease. My blood needed to be sent away for analysis as there was so little expertise on the illness at Derriford Hospital. I was then put on a drip until my antibiotics arrived.
This disease can have fatal results and the symptoms that I endurred could have been catastophic if I had not been so young and fit (34 years old). If the disease had been treated the week following infection it would have been easily curred. However I was not aware that the disease existed and therefore became very ill two months later.
Education on this is therfore essential to all visitors to region whether for work or leisure.
Posted by: Suzanne Pankhurst, Dorset on 9:23pm Mon 17 Sep 07
I have just managed to persuade my gp to do a blood test for Lymes, he was reluctant as after having an MRI scan was diagnosed with MS.
Unfortunately the blood test has come back negative, but I still think there is far more chance that I have Lyme than MS.
Have asked GP if I can go private, he says if I find a dr who specialises he will refer me.
I live in Northern Ireland, moved here 2 years ago from Dorset. Used to go camping every year either in Seaton at a park with herds of deer and at the New Forest.
Can even remember being bit...seeing my gp in dorset; as at time thought I'd caught ringworm.
Almost immediately after was bit...got stiff neck and flu-feeling, but didn't connect it with anything too sinister then other than a virus.
Am presently having another nasty attack with blurred vision...gp has given me high doses of steroids...am worried, 'cos if it is Lyme...I've read this is incorrect and harmful
I have just managed to persuade my gp to do a blood test for Lymes, he was reluctant as after having an MRI scan was diagnosed with MS.
Unfortunately the blood test has come back negative, but I still think there is far more chance that I have Lyme than MS.
Have asked GP if I can go private, he says if I find a dr who specialises he will refer me.
I live in Northern Ireland, moved here 2 years ago from Dorset. Used to go camping every year either in Seaton at a park with herds of deer and at the New Forest.
Can even remember being bit...seeing my gp in dorset; as at time thought I'd caught ringworm.
Almost immediately after was bit...got stiff neck and flu-feeling, but didn't connect it with anything too sinister then other than a virus.
Am presently having another nasty attack with blurred vision...gp has given me high doses of steroids...am worried, 'cos if it is Lyme...I've read this is incorrect and harmful
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