Ticks generate early Lyme disease cases

Early ticks cause first Lyme disease cases

04/20/2014

Ticks are particularly early this year because of the mild temperatures. A tick bite transmits various diseases. In Saxony-Anhalt 41 cases of Lyme disease have been registered this year.

Ticks are active early because of mild winter
According to the Robert Koch Institute, ticks are particularly early this year because of the mild winter. The little bloodsuckers transmit various diseases. Also in Saxony-Anhalt, the tick season started unusually early. As reported by the local office for consumer protection, 41 cases of Lyme disease have been registered since January. Last year, there were a total of 36 cases from January to May. In 2013 there were a total of 342 reported cases of Lyme disease, in 2012 there were 253.

Scour body for ticks after outdoor stays
The State Office for Consumer Protection recommends that you thoroughly search your own body after every walk through meadows and forests. „There is no vaccine against Lyme disease, but medication for treatment“, says Constanze Gottschalk from the Department of Health and Hygiene Management according to the MDR. It is also possible to protect yourself from tick bites by wearing body-covering clothing such as long-sleeved shirts or long trousers. Left untreated, Lyme disease can lead to joint, heart muscle and nerve inflammation. Lyme disease, which is one of the bacterial infectious diseases, is usually treatable well with antibiotics.

Flu-like symptoms in TBE disorders
In addition to Lyme disease, tick-borne tick-borne tick borne encephalitis (TBE) is also transmitted. This virus infection often goes unnoticed for a longer time because symptoms often appear late. If flu-like symptoms such as headache, fever or nausea and vomiting occur in the hours and days following a tick bite, a doctor should be consulted. Although infection is mild in most cases, in rare cases it can also lead to a serious illness, such as meningitis.

Vaccination recommendation for risk areas
However, the state of Saxony-Anhalt is not considered a risk area for FSME. However, the Robert Koch Institute had declared the Vogtland in Saxony in the past week to the new risk area. And also count in Thuringia areas. Above all, southern Germany is affected. Constanze Gottschalk explained: „If traveling to an area classified as a high risk area, it is advisable to get vaccinated against FSME.“ The Federal Center for Health Education (BZgA) also advises that all people living or vacationing in FSME risk areas get vaccinated. (Ad)