'Stay safe' warning as rare disease is spreading in UK - lyme disease symptoms to look for
manchestereveningnews.co.ukExperts are urging people to stay safe this spring as a rare disease is on the rise in the UK. Lyme disease is an infection caused by a spiral-shaped bacteria called Borrelia burgdorferi.
The infection is predominantly spread to humans through the bite of an infected tick. Sometimes, ticks can transmit multiple infections through a single bite, and these can cause more severe symptoms.
The government estimates there are around 3,000-4,000 cases of Lyme disease every year in England and Wales. However, research published in 2019 showed that real numbers could be at least three times higher. READ MORE: Join the FREE Manchester Evening News WhatsApp community Ticks have been found across every county of the UK and are mainly found in grassy areas and woodland, but have also been found in urban parks and gardens.
It is estimated that around 10 per cent of ticks in the UK carry Lyme disease. Ticks vary in size and can be as small as a poppy seed, or as large as a baked bean, reports the ECHO.
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