Those out cycling as the weather warms up have been warned by the HSE that Lyme disease can cause severe debilitating heart and nervous system disease.
The HSE has said mountain bikers are among a group of people at risk of contracting Lyme disease in the summer months, saying it can prove debilitating and can cause organ damage in some cases.
The warning has been issued to mountain bikers – and others out and about in the countryside during the summer – to protect themselves insofar as they can against the ticks that cause the condition.
The health authorities are also urging anyone bitten by a tick to remove it immediately and to ensure that all of it has been taken out.
“Ramblers, campers, mountain bikers, and others who work and walk in forested or grassy areas must be vigilant against tick bites,” said Dr Paul McKeown, a specialist in public health medicine.
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He added Lyme disease can, in a small number of cases, cause severe debilitating heart and nervous system disease.
"Ticks are tiny spider like creatures that feed on the blood of mammals and birds and will also feed on the blood of humans and occasionally dogs,” Dr McKeown said.
“Ticks are more numerous and more active in the summer months and protecting against tick bites protects against Lyme disease.
“The most effective way to prevent Lyme disease is by preventing tick bites.”
The HSE advise tick bites can be prevented by:
- Wearing long trousers, long sleeved shirt and shoes
- Using an insect repellent, such as DEET (but use a low-strength DEET if you are pregnant – your local pharmacist can advise you)
- Checking skin, hair and warm skin folds (especially the neck and scalp of children) for ticks, after a day out
- Removing any ticks and consulting with a GP if symptoms develop
- If you have been walking your dog, check him/her too
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“Lyme disease has been notifiable in Ireland since 2012 and since then, there have been between eight and 18 cases notified in Ireland each year,” Dr McKeown added.
“However, as many people will not be aware that they are/have been infected or may not seek medical help when unwell, the true incidence of Lyme disease is not accurately known.
“It is likely that there are at least 50 -100 cases in Ireland every year."
Information on how to remove ticks is available by following this link.
The HSE’s warning added:
When a tick bites a person to have a blood feed, about ¾ of people develop a skin rash, known as erythema migrans.
This rash generally develops between three days and a month after a tick bite. The rash can be visible for up to a month and may grow to be several inches in diameter.
People, who have been infected, can also develop flu-like symptoms such as headache, sore throat, neck stiffness, fever, muscle aches and general fatigue; full recovery is generally the rule.
Occasionally however, there may be much more serious complications involving the nervous system, joints, the heart or other organs.
Anyone who develops a rash or other symptoms should visit their GP and explain that they have been bitten by a tick.
Lyme disease is generally diagnosed by medical history and physical examination. Diagnosis can be difficult if there has been no rash. The infection can be confirmed by special blood tests.
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