Ticks and diseases

Ticks are dangerous because they can transmit pathogens of meningoencephalitis, Lyme disease and human granulocytic anaplasmosis (former name: ehrlichiosis), and they can cause localised skin inflammation.

Not all ticks are infected. The rate of ticks infected with the tick-borne meningoencephalitis virus, which causes meningitis and encephalitis, varies in Slovenia. The disease is the most widespread in Gorenjska, central Slovenia, Koroška and in the region of Celje.

• Tick-borne meningitis can have lasting consequences, such as headaches or decreased concentration and work capacity, as well as paresis or paralysis. The disease is fatal for one or two percent of those who contract it. The most effective method of protection from tick-borne meningoencephalitis is vaccination (more at http://drustvo-bpnb.si/index.php/english-articles/205-vaccination-against-tick-borne-meningoencephalitis-tbe and http://drustvo-bpnb.si/index.php/gradivo).

• Ticks across Slovenia are infected with Lyme disease agents. There is no vaccine, which makes it all the more important to take precautions against tick bites. It is important to wear suitable clothing and footwear and use insect repellents when outdoors, in nature. If you notice a tick, it should be removed as soon as possible. A red skin rash which appears around the bite wound made by the tick within seven to fourteen days and begins to spread, but fades at the centre, is the first sign of Lyme disease. The skin rash can also appear elsewhere on the skin; there can be one or multiple blemishes, and they are not necessarily ring-shaped. If Lyme disease is diagnosed during this stage, the disease can be effectively treated with appropriate antibiotics. Another early sign of Lyme disease, in addition to skin blemishes, is swelling in areas such as the earlobes or nipples.

On  the link below you can watch the short movie about ticks.

http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=wq1nHjIc1B4&vq=large