Region – By far the most tick bites were reported from Gelderland last year. Many reports also came in from Noord-Brabant on Tekenradar.nl.
The fewest reports came from Groningen and Zeeland, researchers from Wageningen University reported on Monday at the start of the national Tick Week.
Drenthe in the lead
Per 100,000 inhabitants, Drenthe leads the way when it comes to reported tick bites, followed by Flevoland. South and North Holland have the fewest tick bites per 100,000 inhabitants. Most people get bitten in the woods, in the garden, while camping or while running. But there are also quite a few people who come into contact with a tick through their pet cat, according to the researchers.
Ticks can carry the Borrelia bacteria. This can cause Lyme disease in people, which causes problems with the immune system. Lyme disease can be serious. This week, researchers from the academic Radboudumc in Nijmegen, together with the RIVM, are starting a study into the response of immune cells to the bacteria. This should provide a better diagnostic test, because Lyme is sometimes only discovered after years. With a better test, treatment can proceed faster.
The number of reports of a tick bite has increased rapidly in recent weeks, according to Tekenradar.nl. According to the researchers, this is probably because February and March were warm. The tick season therefore started early.
Also read: If you quickly check for ticks, you have less chance of contracting Lyme
Source: Nieuws.nl/ANP
