Lyme illness hotspots in England – locations with the best variety of instances
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) reported the whole variety of confirmed Lyme disease instances within the first quarter of 2023 was larger than in the identical time interval in 2022.
Yet, there’s “likely an underestimate of the true burden of acute Lyme disease”.
Cases of Lyme illness “continue to peak during the summer months”, however knowledge primarily based on the primary quarter of 2023 present the place probably the most infections have been taking place.
The area the place most Lyme instances have been recognized was within the South East, adopted by London after which the South West.
Laboratory confirmed acute instances of Lyme illness in England by area:
- South East – 23
- London – 18
- South West – 16
- North West – 12
- Yorkshire and Humber – 4
- North East – 4
- West Midlands – 3
- East of England – 2
- East Midlands – 1
People are urged by the UKHSA to be “tick aware” as they benefit from the outside in hotter climate.
Ticks, which can be carrying Lyme illness, will be present in grassy and wooded areas, which suggests those that hike, cycle or camp are extra vulnerable to an infection.
The most protecting measures embrace sporting clothes that covers the pores and skin, akin to light-coloured trousers, and utilizing insect repellent akin to DEET.
“After spending time outside, check yourself, your clothing, your pets and others for ticks,” the UKHSA said.
“Remove any attached tick as soon as you find it using a tick-removal tool or fine-tipped tweezers.”
If you might have been bitten by an contaminated tick, you would possibly discover a “spreading, bulls-eye rash at the site of the tick bite”.
Such a rash sometimes develops between three to 30 days after being bitten by an contaminated tick.
Other indications of Lyme illness can embrace “flu-like” signs, a facial droop, nerve ache, and numbness and tingling within the fingers or toes.
“Rapid recognition of symptoms can ensure that you receive the earliest diagnosis and treatment from your GP,” the UKHSA added.
The NHS says: “If a GP thinks you might have Lyme disease, they’ll prescribe a course of antibiotics.
“The antibiotics you are given will rely in your signs, however it’s possible you’ll must take them for as much as 28 days.”
It might take months for an individual with Lyme illness to really feel again to their regular self.