Monday 2 April 2012

Tick Bite Prevention Week

 Useful information for the Hill Runners of the club:
Tick Bite Prevention Week
March 26 to 1 April is Tick Bite Prevention Week and tick-borne disease charity BADA-UK (Borreliosis and Associated Diseases Awareness-UK) is using this annual awareness campaign to highlight the health risks that ticks pose, especially following the recent EU ban of the herbicide Asulam.

Asulam was used by hill farmers to control the invasive spread of bracken which provides the perfect habitat for ticks. BADA-UK Patron and survival expert Ray Mears warns:

"The control of bracken is vital to the survival of numerous species of flora and fauna as well as reducing tick populations. The spread of bracken as a result of this ban will lead to increased tick numbers making it all the more important that the public takes precautions against tick bites when out and about in rural areas."

BADA-UK advises that with no preventative vaccine available, the best defence against UK tick-borne infections is to avoid being bitten in the first place by taking a few simple precautions when out and about.

For more information and tips for avoiding being bitten and infected, visit http://www.tickbitepreventionweek.org/
Correct Tick removal at: http://www.tickbitepreventionweek.org/tick-removal.html

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