The Luxembourg Ministry of Health has warned that this summer brings an increased risk of tick bites, in part due to increased tick numbers during mild winters and wet springs.
The ministry reminded people in Luxembourg that these parasites’ bites can cause serious health issues, including the transmission of infections such as Lyme disease (borreliosis) in our regions or tick-borne meningoencephalitis (FSME) in Eastern Europe, Austria and Southern Germany.
In Luxembourg, the only infection that can be caused by a tick bite is Lyme disease. This can be transmitted when one is bitten by a tick infected with Borrelia. The proportion of infected ticks varies from year to year and from region to region, ranging from 0% to 30%.
After biting its host, an infected tick feeds on its blood and emits faeces containing the bacteria that can infect the host. This process takes 24-48 hours, as ticks feed slowly and for a long time. When a person is infected with Lyme disease, they may initially experience erythema, a skin rash that may later expand with a bigger red ring around the bite area. Symptoms include fever, chills, headaches and body aches, particularly in the joints. If this infection is not treated and diagnosed at this stage, it can sometimes lead to complications such as arthritis, facial paralysis or meningitis.
Preventing tick bites is important to reduce the risk of getting Lyme disease. The authorities recommend wearing long-sleeved clothes, long trousers and closed shoes when in areas with dense vegetation. After the risk of exposure, one should directly carry out regular checks on oneself and on loved ones, especially children, carefully checking the body for ticks. Hard-to-reach areas such as the scalp or armpits should equally be inspected. If a tick is discovered on the skin, it is recommended to remove it completely by gently twisting it with a tick tweezer or to seek the help of a healthcare professional. After removing the tick, the bite area and one’s hands need to be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected, with rubbing alcohol or soap and water. An infected tick that remains attached for less than 24 hours does not have time to transmit the disease. Finally, before traveling to Eastern Europe, the authorities recommend consulting a doctor to find out if vaccination against tick-borne encephalitis is recommended.
Ticks are parasites related to spiders and mites. They feed exclusively on the blood of animals or humans. Depending on their life cycle, they will go from small rodents to deer or to humans who pass within their reach. Ticks stay where there is vegetation and hosts. They are found in foliage, tall grass, undergrowth, shrubs and rural paths at the edge of the forest. When they attach themselves to their host, ticks seek a protected place on the body of the latter in order to minimise the risk of being torn off, since they are constantly exposed to this risk. Ticks bite uncovered parts of the human body and can sometimes be difficult to spot on the head or under a watch band.
Ticks will sometimes prefer domestic animals and other times large animals including humans. Ticks that are attached to pets will not bite their owners and will hence not transmit Lyme disease. Ticks do not pass from dogs or cats to humans, unlike fleas.
To prevent Lyme disease, the ministry has noted than one should watch the bite area. If redness appears around the bite around a week later, the authorities recommended contacting one’s doctor.
More information on the prevention of tick bites is available on the website: www.tiques.lu.
