Lyme disease in france: official advice on how to avoid a tick bite

UP TO 20% OF TICKS IN FRANCE ARE INFECTED WITH LYME. HERE IS THE OFFICIAL ADVICE ON HOW TO AVOID A BITE AND INFECTION As temperatures rise in France ahead of summer, so does the risk of

being bitten by a tick carrying Lyme disease, prompting the agricultural research centre Inrae to offer advice on how to avoid it. Ticks live in wooded, green areas, especially in areas of

shade and damp, such as under trees or around stone walls. Up to 20% of them carry Lyme disease in France, depending on the area. The disease is transmitted when an infected tick bites. The

risk is more pronounced in the east and centre-east than in the west, and some parts of the south, but the issue is spreading. _Inrae has created a map showing the incidence of ticks in the

area, with the orange and red areas more at-risk_ MAP: INRAE.FR READ MORE: WHERE IN FRANCE YOU ARE MOST AT-RISK FROM LYME DISEASE TICKS READ MORE: MAP: SEE THE AREAS OF FRANCE THAT SUFFER

MOST FROM TICKS Lyme disease - especially when untreated or in severe cases - can cause fatigue, skin issues, heart, eye and neurological problems. Advice to avoid it includes: PREPARE

BEFORE GOING OUTSIDE If you are planning a hike or picnic in a wooded area or forest, you are advised to “prepare before going out”, said Virginie Renaud, volunteer at the France Lyme

association to BMFTV. She and the public health association Santé publique France recommend: * Wearing a hat to protect against ticks falling from trees * Tuck your trousers into your socks

to avoid ticks climbing up from the ankles * Wear long-sleeve tops and long trousers * Stay on paths and avoid going into long grass * Spray anti-tick and anti-insect repellent on your

clothes and skin It is estimated that between 30-50% of tick bites occur in gardens and countryside parks, not only in wild forests. CHECK YOUR SKIN AFTER GOING OUTDOORS After you return

from spending time outdoors, you are advised to check for ticks. The forestry office l'Office national des forêts recommends: * Inspect your body in detail, especially in skin folds and

creases * Check your scalp, behind your ears and neck Ticks are only 1-3mm wide, so can be easy to miss. Pets can also be affected, so be sure to brush them or de-tick them after they come

indoors, too. You can also wash your clothes at 60C, or tumble dry them for at least an hour, as ticks do not like dry heat. WHAT IF YOU SUSPECT A BITE? The Assurance maladie website Ameli

recommends: * Taking out the tick as soon as possible. Use a tick removal device (_un tire-tique_) to get hold of the tick and pull it out, without crushing it. * If in doubt, ask for advice

at a pharmacy or GP office * After taking out the tick, disinfect the area and keep watch on the area for the next month Ameli adds: “If you see a red rash or inflammation start to spread,

between three and 30 days after the bite, you should see a doctor, as it could be an ‘erythema migrans’, which is an early symptom of Lyme disease.” This rash is usually circular and red,

sometimes with a white area in the middle, in the form of a ‘bull’s eye’ pattern. RELATED ARTICLES NEW CAMPAIGN TO ALERT WALKERS TO RISK OF LYME DISEASE IN FRANCE BE AWARE: TICK BITES CAN

CAUSE LYME DISEASE, SAYS SURVIVO