TBE & Borreliosis Ticks are also waiting in the garden

TBE and Lyme disease: ticks can also lurk in the garden

03/26/2015

Finally the Fürhling is there, but unfortunately with him also the ticks. The little animals are not only found in woods and meadows, but also lurking in the garden. Not the tick bite itself is dangerous, but the diseases that can be transmitted by it. Against the tick-borne encephalitis you can protect yourself with a vaccine.

Ticks also lurk in well-tended gardens
Finally spring has come. Although the nights are often still frosty, the ticks are already active. They lurk not only in the woods and meadows, but also in the garden. This has been confirmed by a study published on Tuesday by the University of Hohenheim. A report of the „world“ According to the parasitologist Ute Mackenstedt, even gardens were affected, „which are well maintained and several hundred meters from the forest“. The scientists had examined around 60 gardens in the Greater Stuttgart area twice a month for the study over the past few months - and have found something in each one. Not the tick bite itself, but the infectious diseases that can be transmitted by it, are dangerous. In addition to the Lyme disease, especially the tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) should be mentioned here.

You can protect yourself against FSME
Before FSME can protect a vaccine. According to a message from the dpa news agency, the German Neuroscientists Association (BDN) points out that those who travel in risk areas and want to spend time in nature or those who live there should get vaccinated. According to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), 142 districts in Germany are currently classified as TBE risk areas. These include almost all of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg as well as parts of Hesse, Rhineland-Palatinate, Thuringia, Saxony and Saarland. Also affected is Austria. The possibilities of treatment after infection are very limited. The flu-like symptoms such as fever, headache or vomiting can indeed alleviate, but the disease itself can not be specifically treated. The viruses can also lead to dangerous brain and meningitis, which are not treatable.

No vaccine against Lyme disease
An immunization consists of a total of three vaccinations, the first two being up to three months apart. „14 days after the second vaccination, 90 percent of the vaccinated already have protection that is sufficient for the current season“, said the chairman of the BDN, Curt Beil. „For long-term protection, which then lasts for at least three years, a third vaccine dose is required after nine to twelve months.“ In addition to TBE viruses, ticks can also transmit Lyme disease. There are no individual risk areas, but caution is required throughout the country. There is no preventive vaccine against the disease. Lyme disease can often be detected by a red ring or spot around the puncture site (also called a "wandering"), and expensive Lyme disease laboratory tests are often unnecessary.

Remove ticks quickly
Ticks should be removed as quickly as possible after penetrating the skin to reduce the risk of infection. Because the dangerous bacteria are usually transmitted only after a few hours. In addition, one should disinfect the puncture site. It's best not to get that far. Especially during walks and hikes in forests and meadows you should apply mosquito repellent, which also acts against ticks. Even to long pants is advised and to pull the stockings over the pants legs, as an important entrance gate for the tick is down the trouser leg. After staying outdoors - even if it was only in the garden - you should search the body for ticks. Head and neck, the skin under the arms, between the legs and in the knees special attention should be paid. (Ad)