'Stay safe' warning as rare disease is spreading in UK - lyme disease symptoms to look for
23.04.2023 - 08:17
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Experts are urging people to stay safe this spring as a rare disease is on the rise in the UK.
Lyme disease is an infection caused by a spiral-shaped bacteria called Borrelia burgdorferi. The infection is predominantly spread to humans through the bite of an infected tick.
Sometimes, ticks can transmit multiple infections through a single bite, and these can cause more severe symptoms. The government estimates there are around 3,000-4,000 cases of Lyme disease every year in England and Wales. However, research published in 2019 showed that real numbers could be at least three times higher.
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Ticks have been found across every county of the UK and are mainly found in grassy areas and woodland, but have also been found in urban parks and gardens. It is estimated that around 10 per cent of ticks in the UK carry Lyme disease.
Ticks vary in size and can be as small as a poppy seed, or as large as a baked bean, reports the ECHO.
Ticks live in grassy areas and will wait on a blade of grass for a human or animal to brush past it, transfers onto the host, and then crawls to find a warm spot to embed itself into. They inject a local anaesthetic which means that their bite is painless, and often attach themselves to the hairline, axillae, or groin areas of the body, so many people don’t realise they’ve been bitten.
Lyme disease is easier to treat the quicker it is diagnosed. The NHS says a circular or oval shape rash around a tick bite can be an early symptom of Lyme disease in some people.
The rash can appear up to 3 months after being bitten by an infected tick, but usually appears within 1 to 4 weeks. It can last for several weeks.
Other symptoms include a