In Ukraine, due to the warm winter, ixodid ticks could not fall into a "strong" winter hibernation and have already begun to wake up.
People are urged to prepare for protection against parasites and to pay special attention to the timely treatment of dogs and cats with acaricidal drugs, the Rivne Regional Center for Disease Control and Prevention reports on Facebook.
The authors emphasized that the beginning of the "tick season" depends on the average daily temperature and usually begins at the end of March. They wake up at a temperature of +1-3°C and become active at a temperature of +10°C.
They explained that ticks may not immediately attach to a person or animal. Thus, the parasite can be brought from a walk on the dog's clothes or fur. And already in a warm room, he will "bite".
"Due to a rather warm winter, we are predicting a high number of ixodid ticks in the spring period, which means that we should all be quite careful about meeting them," the message says.
The authors emphasized that ticks carry dangerous diseases, including ixodid tick-borne borreliosis, tick-borne encephalitis, hemorrhagic fevers, etc. They can also infect a person with bacteria and viruses from a previous victim, or an infection acquired from the mother.
It is noted that the most dangerous places are thickets of tall grass or bushes. You can meet ticks not only in the forest, but also in parks, squares and even your own yards. In addition, Ixodes ticks are active at any time of the day and in any weather.
"If a tick is detected on your body, it should be removed as soon as possible, preferably in a medical facility," the message emphasized.
The authors emphasized that after detecting a tick bite, it is necessary to consult an infectious disease doctor in order to receive preventive treatment.
"When visiting places where there may be ticks, you should wear light-colored, plain, long-sleeved clothes that fit tightly to the body, so that it is easier to spot ticks. Do not forget about the headdress, conduct self- and mutual examinations every 2 hours of walking and necessarily at home, you should also immediately change your clothes and underwear," they said.
The message also called for the use of certified repellents with acaricidal effect.
As EcoPolitic reported before, in the Ivano-Frankivsk Region in the Verkhovynskyi National Nature Park due to an abnormally warm winter brown bears woke up from hibernation.
