Saturday, April 4, 2020, 9:05 PM
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Anyone taking a stroll in nature in the coming days would do well to check for ticks afterwards. Due to the predicted warm weather this week, the sign forecast in our province is rising to the highest level.
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According to the website Ontwerpradar.nl, of the Dutch government and Wageningen University, the chance that people in our province will be bitten will increase considerably in the coming days. The tick’s activity will rise to high from Tuesday, then to very high. At least up to and including Saturday, therefore, we have to be careful.
Lyme disease
A tick’s bite can be dangerous because the insect can transmit Lyme disease. This is an infectious disease that, if treated too late, can lead to joint complaints, nerve failure, arrhythmias or local paralysis. The bits are mainly in tall grass or dead leaves near trees and shrubs. The first sign of a tick bite is a red spot or red ring on the body.
Anyone who goes out into nature can reduce the risk of a tick bite. For example, it is wise to stay on the trails as much as possible, wear covering clothes and shoes, or spray clothes with an insect repellent containing DEET.
In most other places in the Netherlands there is also a higher chance of a tick bite. Only on the Wadden Islands the chance of a tick bite remains small. In the past week, Toonradar.nl has already received several reports of tick bites or a red ring or spot on the body from our province.
Week of the Tick
Normally, Wageningen University would draw extra attention to tick bites during the Week of the Tick next week. Due to the corona virus, that week has been postponed to June.
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