Due to the early arrival of spring and mild winter, ticks attack much earlier this year. Not only the numbers of infected parasites are starting to rise, but also cases of Lyme disease. Infected ticks are now abundant in city parks, woodlands, gardens and housing estates in city centres.

In general, they do best in a warm and humid environment. On the contrary, dry, sunny and bare places do not suit them.

According to the scale of the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute, their activity has been hovering around the number 3 for many weeks, i.e. moderate risk of attack.

Therefore, people should not:

• sit or lie on the ground (even with a mat),
• freely enter grass, herbaceous vegetation and bushes,
• underestimate the situation and use a repellent that can be applied to clothes etc.

In this case, a thorough examination of the body is also necessary (ideally in the morning and in the evening). It is still true that the earlier the tick is removed, the lower the risk of transmission of infection. Also, remember that a tick can move for a long time before it attaches itself.

As vaccination against Lyme disease is still not available, it is appropriate to remind about vaccination against another serious infection – tick-borne encephalitis. You can get vaccinated at a general practitioner's office or a vaccination center. Vaccinations must be repeated at specified intervals.

Considering the experts' findings, people should think more about the possibilities of prevention and protection for themselves and their four-legged pets.

Resources: https://www.avcr.cz/, https://www.nzip.cz/.