Warning: Tick Season is Here - Stay Protected in Tick-Infested Zones Like Lower Saxony
High alert on tick activity: Guidelines for self-protection - Numerous ticks encountered along the pathway.
Heed this warning, nature enthusiasts! With the warm, wet weather, ticks are out in full force, as per the Lower Saxony State Health Authority (NLGA). These bloodsuckers can cause some dreadful diseases, such as Early Summer Meningoencephalitis (FSME) and Lyme disease.
Prevent FSME with a vaccine if you:1. Live in an FSME-risk area.2. Travel to such areas.3. Spend ample time in nature for work or leisure.
In Lower Saxony, Emsland and Celle are the current FSME-risk areas. Infections have been reported in several other regions as well. To prepare yourself, it's essential to understand FSME symptoms, including fever, headache, gastrointestinal issues, and meningitis.
As for Lyme disease, there's no vaccine available yet. Removing the tick as soon as possible is key to avoiding infection—it takes several hours for the Lyme disease pathogens to transmit to humans.
To stay safe in tick-prone zones:- Wear sturdy shoes, light clothing, and tuck your pants into socks while exploring woods, edges, gardens, and parks.- Use insect repellents and check your entire body after being in nature.
According to NLGA virologist Masyar Monazahian, up to 40% of adult ticks carry the Borrelia bacteria, causing Lyme disease. Young ticks transmit the bacteria in 15-20% of cases, a drastic increase from 20 years ago.
The mild winters and climate change have also contributed to year-round tick activity, making them more active than ever. Be cautious, especially during weekends and high humidity conditions, as ticks thrive during thunderstorms.
Fun Fact:
Tick-borne diseases can be found across the globe, affecting millions annually.
Protect Yourself Against Ticks and Diseases:
- Choose the right clothing: Long sleeves, long pants, and closed shoes. Tuck pant legs into socks to prevent ticks from crawling up.
- Use insect repellents: DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus work well on exposed skin and clothing.
- Opt for tick-repellent clothing: Treat clothing with permethrin for added protection.
- Be vigilant: Be mindful of tick habitats and avoid sitting or lying down in them.
FSME Vaccination:
- Speak with a healthcare professional to determine if the FSME vaccine is needed.
- The vaccine is given in three doses, ideally starting before the tick season.
Lyme Disease Protection:
- Regularly check yourself for ticks after outdoor activities.
- Remove any attached ticks promptly and correctly using fine-tipped tweezers.
Stay informed about tick activity and disease outbreaks in your area. Inspect clothing and gear for ticks after returning indoors to reduce your risk of contracting FSME and Lyme disease during your outdoor adventures.
- The warming weather inspires the arrival of ticks, a concern highlighted by the Lower Saxony State Health Authority (NLGA).
- Ticks in Lower Saxony pose a risk in Emsland and Celle, with infections reported in various regions.
- Early Summer Meningoencephalitis (FSME) can be prevented with a vaccine if you live, travel, or spend substantial time in nature-prone areas.
- Learn the symptoms of FSME, which include fever, headache, stomach problems, and meningitis.
- For Lyme disease, removing ticks promptly is crucial to averting infection, as transmission of the disease-causing pathogens takes several hours.
- Safeguard yourself in tick-infested zones by wearing sturdy shoes, light clothing, and tucking pants into socks.
- Use insect repellents and inspect your body thoroughly after spending time in nature.
- NLGA virologist Masyar Monazahian reveals that up to 40% of adult ticks carry the Borrelia bacteria, the cause of Lyme disease.
- Climate change has fostered year-round tick activity, making them more active than ever.
- Be cautious, particularly during weekends and high humidity conditions, as ticks flourish during thunderstorms.
- Tick-borne diseases affect millions worldwide, and it's essential to protect yourself against them.
- Wear long sleeves, long pants, and closed shoes, and tuck pant legs into socks as a preventative measure.
- Utilize DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus insect repellents on exposed skin and clothing.
- Consider treating clothing with permethrin for added protection, and be mindful of tick habitats to reduce the risk of FSME and Lyme disease during outdoor activities.
