Ticks linked with Lyme disease found in London parks
Visitors to two popular parks in South London are at risk of coming into contact with ticks that can transmit Lyme disease to humans, according to a new study in Medical and Veterinary Entomology. If Lyme disease is left untreated or is not treated early on, the individual is at risk of developing inflammatory arthritis.
Researchers studied four parks to see how prevalent ticks were and if they carried the bacterial parasite that causes Lyme disease. A total of 1,109 ticks (532 larvae, 568 nymphs, six adult male and three adult female) were collected at Richmond Park and nine ticks (all nymphs) were collected at Bushy Park. No ticks were found on Wimbledon Common or at Hampton Court.
When the ticks were analysed for the presence of the bacterial parasite, the team estimated the presence of 0.22 infected ticks per 40 metre transect in Richmond Park.
The researchers advise the public take preventative measures to avoid tick bites in Bushy, and especially Richmond, parks:
“The overall the risk of Lyme disease in London parks is very low, but precautions should be taken,” says Dr James Logan who led the study. “Check yourself and your pets after frequenting parkland areas and remove ticks as quickly as possible, if you find any, using a tick removal tool. To minimize the risk, stick to footpaths and wear an insect repellent.”
Other ways to avoid ticks include wearing a long-sleeved shirt and trousers tucked into socks and wearing light-coloured fabrics that can help spot a tick on your clothes. Inspect yourself thoroughly when you get home, particularly your head, neck and skin folds (armpits, groin, and waistband) and promptly remove any ticks you find.
How to remove a tick
According to NHS Choices:
“If you find a tick on your or your child’s skin, remove it by gently gripping it as close to the skin as possible, preferably using fine-toothed tweezers. Pull steadily away from the skin without twisting or crushing the tick.
“Wash your skin with water and soap afterwards, and apply an antiseptic cream to the skin around the bite. Don’t use a lit cigarette end, a match head or substances such as alcohol or petroleum jelly to force the tick out.
“Some veterinary surgeries and pet shops sell inexpensive tick removal devices, which may be useful if you frequently spend time in areas where there are ticks.”
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Image credit: Jack
