Post by merlin on Feb 2, 2012 8:32:37 GMT
Ticks carrying the bacteria responsible for Lyme disease are much more common in the UK than previously thought, a study suggests.
Scientists at the University of Bristol asked vets across England, Scotland and Wales to examine dogs for ticks.
A total of 3,534 dogs were inspected between March and October 2009, 14.9 per cent of which were found to have ticks.
Analysis revealed that 2.3 per cent of these ticks were infected with the Borrelia burgdorferi bacterium, which causes Lyme disease - a chronic infection that affects both dogs and humans.
Publishing their findings in the journal Comparative Immunology, Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, the study authors concluded that 0.5 per cent of dogs carried infected ticks - far higher than previous estimates.
Faith Smith, from the university's School of Biological Sciences, said: 'Lyme disease appears to be a rapidly growing problem in the UK, with important health and economic impacts in terms of loss of working hours and potential decrease in tourism to tick hotspots.
'Without considerably better surveillance and routine diagnostic testing, Lyme disease is only likely to become more prevalent.'
The Health Protection Agency advises people to take preventative measures against tick bites, such as wearing long trousers tucked into socks when walking in tick-infested areas.
Britons should also visit their GP if they develop a rash or other symptoms after sustaining a tick bite.
Scientists at the University of Bristol asked vets across England, Scotland and Wales to examine dogs for ticks.
A total of 3,534 dogs were inspected between March and October 2009, 14.9 per cent of which were found to have ticks.
Analysis revealed that 2.3 per cent of these ticks were infected with the Borrelia burgdorferi bacterium, which causes Lyme disease - a chronic infection that affects both dogs and humans.
Publishing their findings in the journal Comparative Immunology, Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, the study authors concluded that 0.5 per cent of dogs carried infected ticks - far higher than previous estimates.
Faith Smith, from the university's School of Biological Sciences, said: 'Lyme disease appears to be a rapidly growing problem in the UK, with important health and economic impacts in terms of loss of working hours and potential decrease in tourism to tick hotspots.
'Without considerably better surveillance and routine diagnostic testing, Lyme disease is only likely to become more prevalent.'
The Health Protection Agency advises people to take preventative measures against tick bites, such as wearing long trousers tucked into socks when walking in tick-infested areas.
Britons should also visit their GP if they develop a rash or other symptoms after sustaining a tick bite.
