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UK official health warning for UK residents to 'avoid' this

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued a warning

[Blurred image of the legs of a senior woman rambler walking through a field of long grass in the British Countryside. She uses a stick to aid her way.]

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The parasites live in long grass(Image: DavidGraham86 via Getty Images)

Health officials have issued a summer warning to millions of Brits heading outdoors.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has launched a fresh "tick awareness" campaign on social media as families make the most of parks, forests and the countryside during the warmer months. In a post on social media, the agency warned: "If you're walking through grassy or wooded areas this summer, be tick aware and make sure you know how to avoid ticks and remove them if they bite."

Ticks are small spider-like parasites that live in long grass, woodland and heathland. They attach themselves to people and animals as they brush past vegetation and feed on blood. While most bites are harmless, some ticks can carry infections such as Lyme disease, making it important to avoid being bitten and to remove any ticks promptly.

[A woman playfully walks gently brushing her hand over the long grasses of an idyllic Atlantic coastline in Summer.]

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Check thoroughly for ticks once you return home(Image: Dougal Waters via Getty Images)

The UKHSA has issued six key pieces of advice to help people stay safe while enjoying the outdoors.

It says people should:

• Use an insect repellent that is effective against ticks.
• Wear long-sleeved tops and long trousers to reduce exposed skin.
• Stick to clearly defined footpaths and avoid brushing against vegetation where ticks may be waiting.
• Check young children carefully for ticks, paying particular attention to their heads and necks.
• As soon as you get home, check yourself, your children and pets for any ticks.
• Remove any ticks safely and as soon as possible if you find one attached.

The warning comes as millions of people head to the countryside during the school holidays and summer weekends, when the risk of encountering ticks is typically at its highest. Ticks are commonly found in grassy and wooded areas across the UK and can also be present in parks, gardens and heathland where wildlife such as deer, rodents and birds live.

Health experts say the quicker an attached tick is removed, the lower the chance of it passing on an infection. Anyone who develops a circular or expanding rash after a tick bite, or experiences flu-like symptoms such as fever, muscle aches or fatigue, should seek medical advice, as these can be signs of Lyme disease.

The UKHSA is urging anyone planning countryside walks, picnics or other outdoor activities this summer to take simple precautions before setting out and to check thoroughly for ticks once they return home.

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