To protect against ticks and, consequently, tick-borne infections, it is recommended to wear maximally closed clothing, use headgear, apply tick repellents, and regularly conduct self-examinations during outdoor walks, said epidemiologist Andrey Sakharov.
“The tick-borne encephalitis vaccine can be administered in advance if a person lives in or plans to visit an endemic area. However, vaccination should be arranged in advance so that at least two weeks have passed since the second vaccination before potential contact with ticks,” the specialist explained.
According to the doctor, the highest activity of the most dangerous ticks is observed in May and June, as well as during the mushroom season from August to September. Nevertheless, ticks begin to become active as early as March, as soon as the snow melts. They crawl on the ground and grass, clinging to the fur of animals and the clothing of people. The threat of bites persists throughout the period from March to October.
“Ticks carry about 50 infections of both viral and bacterial origin. The most dangerous are tick-borne encephalitis, borreliosis, monocytic ehrlichiosis in humans, granulocytic anaplasmosis, and rickettsiosis. Therefore, it is extremely important to protect yourself and your loved ones from these blood-sucking parasites in advance,” the doctor concluded.
