Islanders warned of Jersey's tick 'hotspots'

Islanders have been warned to take care when walking around Jersey's tick "hotspots".

On Monday, the Jersey government posted on its Infrastructure and Environment Facebook page to warn followers of an increase in tick activity during spring.

A government spokesperson said hotspots for the parasitic arachnids included Pont Marquet Country Park, Les Quennevais woodland paths and Noirmont.

They advised people to stick to designated paths when walking in the countryside, carry out regular tick checks and to use fine-tipped tweezers or a tick removal tool if a tick was found.

Islanders were also advised to contact their GP if they felt unwell.

The Jersey government defines a tick as a "small spider-like parasite" that "feeds on the blood of birds and mammals, including humans".

They can be identified by their eight legs and an egg-shaped body which become larger and darker when filled with blood.

Ticks are more likely to found in woodland and grassland. The bites of a tick can carry diseases, so the Jersey government has warned people it is "important to remove them straight away".

One disease ticks can carry is Lyme disease, which is a bacterial infection that can be contracted by humans.

Only a small number of ticks carry the bacteria that can cause Lyme disease so being bitten does not mean you will be infected.

In Jersey, the risk of Lyme disease is "very low" and only two people have been infected since 2015, according to government sources.

The most common signs of Lyme disease are:

• A circular bullseye or oval shape rash around a tick bite
• Fever
• Headache
• Flu like symptoms
• Feeling tired

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