Mild winter could see rise in ticks carrying Lyme disease

Since the first case of Lyme disease was identified in the Bailiwick in 2017, 17 cases have been recorded locally. Of these 15 were identified between 2017 and 2019.

Guernsey had a mild winter this year and this may result in the numbers of ticks in general rising.

Public Health and the States veterinary officer are urging islanders, especially pet owners, to be tick-aware.

Lyme disease is a bacterial infection transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected tick.

Director of Public Health Dr Nicola Brink said if it was diagnosed swiftly and treated with a full course of appropriate antibiotics, acute Lyme disease will usually resolve

without further complications.

‘The best way to reduce the chance of getting Lyme disease is to improve tick awareness, reduce the risk of tick bites and to remove any attached tick

quickly and correctly,’ she said.

Tick surveys carried out in the Bailiwick indicate that the vector species of tick is present, and probably always has been.

But it is likely that the local tick population has only become infected by the Lyme bacteria in the last few years.

It is unknown how it was introduced to the islands, but a probable source was an infected pet arriving in the Bailiwick from overseas, which was subsequently bitten by a local tick

which in turn became infected.

It would then have soon spread to Bailiwick wildlife, especially ground-feeding birds.

The safest way to remove a tick is to use fine-tipped tweezers or a tick removal tool. They are very narrow and pointed at the tip, which ensures that ticks are not squashed during removal. To remove the tick, grasp it as close to the skin as possible and pull upwards slowly and firmly.

Symptoms of Lyme disease can present days or weeks after someone is bitten and include fever, headache, muscle pain and tiredness.

Dr Brink said Lyme disease most commonly presents as a spreading bullseye rash around the bite area.

‘However, in the UK, about a third of cases do not notice a rash and may present with fever, headache, fatigue or neurological symptoms,’ she said.

States veterinary officer David Chamberlain said it was important that regular anti-parasitic treatments were given to pets.

‘These will help prevent your pet, and you, from becoming infected by Lyme bacteria that the ticks may carry,’ he said.

‘If you find a tick attached to you or your pet then it is feeding and you need to take care when removing

it. If you aggravate the tick it will possibly regurgitate its stomach contents into you, carrying with it many bacteria.’