The case in summary: Never before have so many cases of the tick-borne disease Lyme disease been reported in Norway as this year, with 175 cases from January to June. The reason for the increase is uncertain, but may partly be due to weather conditions and increased knowledge about ticks among doctors and the public. Ticks can also be carriers of the TBE virus, which can cause very serious illness. There is no medicine against this virus, but it can be prevented with a vaccine. To avoid ticks, it is recommended to use mosquito repellent, stay on paths, wear light-colored clothes and check the scalp of children. The summary is made by an AI service from OpenAi. The content is quality assured by news’s journalists before publication. The summer season is well under way, and so is the bloodthirsty tick. Because never before have so many cases of the tick-borne disease Lyme borreliosis been reported. So far this year, 175 cases have been reported to the Norwegian Institute of Public Health (FHI) for the period January to June. That is 16 more than in the same period last year, which was the previous peak. What is the cause of the increase is difficult to determine, according to senior researcher Solveig Jore at FHI. Doctor and adviser at the Flea Center at Sørlandets hospital in Arendal, Harald Reiso, agrees. – Right this year it may be a little because of the weather conditions. If it is humid and the temperature is not so high, the tick likes it better than if it is a scorching summer and dry. He also believes that increased knowledge about ticks among doctors and the public will lead to more people getting the diagnosis. A doctor and adviser at the Tick Center at Sørlandet Hospital looks at pictures of patients who have contracted Lyme disease and chronic eczema from the disease. Photo: Victoria Marie Nordahl / news Many without symptoms Lyme disease is the most common tick-borne disease in Norway. Nevertheless, the risk of getting the infection is only 2 percent if you are bitten, and many of them get little symptoms, according to FHI. Some may, among other things, get flu-like symptoms and a form of red rash. If this happens, you should go to the doctor, who will decide whether you should take a course of antibiotics. Symptoms of Lyme disease and TBE Lyme disease: Red rash on the skin that grows Paralysis of the face Radiant pain in the neck and back that radiates to the legs and arms Often you only get a rash. Forest tick encephalitis (TBE): Causes anything from none to mild flu-like symptoms. Some people get encephalitis, which can cause the following symptoms: High fever Severe headache Nausea Vomiting Diarrhea Confusion Balance problems Paralysis Source: FHI and the Tick Center Doctor: – Vaccinate yourself Ticks can also carry the TBE virus, which can cause very serious illness. – Borrelia is a bacteria, and then it can be treated with antibiotics. TBE is a virus, and there is no medicine that works against it, says doctor Harald Reiso. His advice is to take the vaccine that can prevent the virus. The places most exposed to the TBE virus are in Southern Norway from Flekkefjord, the west coast of the Oslofjord up to the old Hurum municipality, and from Vestby on the east coast of the Oslofjord to the Swedish border. Are you afraid of getting sick from tick bites? Yes No Are you never in the forest Show result How to avoid ticks – How should those who will be outside a lot this summer avoid getting ticks? – Most mosquito repellents are also effective against ticks. It is wise to stay on paths and not walk too much in overgrown areas, says Reiso. They should also dress in bright clothes. Then it is easier to detect any ticks. – Also always check the child’s scalp. It is important. – What do you do if you get a tick? – Pulls it straight out. It’s easier to do with tweezers, says doctor Harald Reiso. There were 113 cases of the TBE virus registered in Norway last year, and around 48,000 Norwegians received at least one dose of the vaccine, according to FHI. In 2016, there were twelve registered cases of the virus. Photo: Erik Karits More widespread abroad The virus is more common in other countries, and one need not go further than Sweden to find higher incidences. Last year, the number of confirmed cases was almost three times as high per inhabitant in Sweden as here at home. Reiso believes the vaccine should also be taken as a travel vaccine if you are holidaying in places with a lot of ticks with the TBE virus. – Like the coast of Sweden, in the Baltics and Central Europe. Hi! Do you have thoughts about the case you’ve read or suggestions for other things we should check out? Feel free to send me an email! Published 09/07/2024, at 18.52
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Several people have been infected with Lyme disease – news Sørlandet – Local news, TV and radio
