Ticks can attack us even in Warsaw’s Łazienki Park, and the vaccine protects only against one of several diseases they transmit, experts said during a conference organized at the National Institute of Hygiene.
Ticks like deciduous forests, damp litter and grasses. Its prickling can be overlooked – it is painless.
The tick does not bite into the skin anywhere – it looks for delicate places – under the knee or behind the ears. When returning from an area with ticks, it is worth examining the skin carefully. Before 12 hours have passed, we are not at risk of becoming infected – the later after this date, the greater the risk – said Prof. Stanisława Tylewska-Wierzbanowska from the National Institute of Hygiene.
Not all ticks are disease carriers, but you never know if you’ve been bitten by an infected individual. Scientists are working on a vaccine that, by disrupting the blood collection process, would prevent the tick from infecting people regardless of the disease, but for now, you can only get vaccinated against encephalitis.
Ticks (20 species) living in Poland transmit tick-borne encephalitis, Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, babesiosis – and the first case of rickettsial disease was reported exactly on the eve of the conference.
Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is a viral disease of the central nervous system that can be transmitted by all developmental forms of ticks – from adults to nymphs and almost invisible larvae. It is best to vaccinate in winter or early spring – this will provide protection from the beginning of tick activity, which lasts from April to October.
Symptoms of the disease appear within two weeks and are similar to the flu. In 70-80 percent. cases, it is inhibited in this first phase. In the rest of those infected, the viruses travel into the central nervous system, where they can cause meningitis.
A dangerous disease transmitted by ticks is also Lyme disease, the characteristic symptom of which is gradually expanding redness – but this symptom does not always occur. Fortunately, Lyme disease can be treated with an antibiotic.
Experts estimate that around 10-15 percent of ticks can be infected with pathogenic microbes, especially in the Podlaskie and Warmińsko-Mazurskie voivodships and in some parts of Mazowieckie, Opolskie and Dolnośląskie voivodships. The research of Dr. Paweł Stefanoff from the National Institute of Hygiene shows that the occurrence of tick-borne encephalitis may be of a greater extent than it is thought.
Research conducted in Warsaw by Dr. Marta Supergran-Marwicz from the University of Warsaw showed that strollers are most exposed to contact with ticks in the following forests: Bielański, Kabacki, Młociny, Bemowo, the Zoological Garden and the Kampinos National Park.
An effective tactic is deterrence with the use of chemical substances – repellants – said Dr. Aleksandra Gliniewicz from the National Institute of Hygiene.
Plant substances could seem like a safer alternative to synthetics, but in high concentrations it tears the skin. Eugenol obtained from cloves is a mutagen, and citronellol also has a negative effect on reproduction and the nervous system.
Ticks don’t like synthetic fabrics. Long sleeves, pants, boots covering the foot – they protect well against ticks. Some companies produce clothing impregnated with repellent substances – mainly permethrin.
If, however, the tick sticks to us, do not use methods such as greasing or burning – it is better to grab it with plastic tweezers (stiff metal tweezers can cut the tick) or suck it up with a special device.
As pointed out by the national epidemiology consultant, prof. Andrzej Zieliński, in the USA, after a forest walk, it is recommended to scrub the entire length of the legs with soap and water – to get rid of tiny, but often infected with diseases, larvae and nymphs of ticks. (PAP)