Only one case of a severe form of Lyme disease, a bacterial infection which can be spread to humans by infected ticks, was reported in Galway last year, according to figures released by the HSE. This was the first case to have been reported in the county for four years.
While Lyme disease is not a notifiable disease in Ireland, cases of a more severe form of the condition known as neuroborreliosis must be reported by doctors and laboratories to the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC ) in Dublin. There are 10 to 20 cases of this condition notified in Ireland each year. The highest number of recent national cases was notified in 2020 (14 ), followed by 2018 (13 ), six in 2019, four in both 2021 and 2022, and three so far in 2023. Six cases of the condition were notified in Co Mayo in the past four years.
As some people are not aware they are infected or will not seek medical help when they are unwell, the true number of Lyme disease cases is not known, according to the HSE’s department of public health. It is likely that there are at least 200 cases of the milder forms of the disease in Ireland annually, it says.
The issue of Lyme disease was raised at a recent meeting of the HSE West’s regional health forum by Ballinasloe Cllr Dr Evelyn Parsons. She wanted to find out about the incidence of Lyme disease in the west in the past five years, the areas of peak incidence, and information about any planned public awareness campaign about the condition.
The HPSC issued a press release as part of a public awareness campaign early last month entitled “Be tick aware:protect against Lyme disease”, the meeting was told. Further information can be accessed on the centre’s website at http://bitly.ws/EjQT and the HSE website at bit.ly/42fv3Md Symptoms of Lyme disease
Most people with early symptoms of Lyme disease develop a circular red skin rash around a tick bite. The rash can look like a bull’s-eye on a dartboard. The skin will be red and the edges may feel slightly raised.
The rash can appear up to three months after being bitten by a tick but most rashes appear within the first four weeks and usually last for several weeks. However, not everyone with Lyme disease gets a rash. Some people also have flu-like symptoms in the early stages, such as:
a high temperature or feeling hot and shivery
headaches
muscle and joint pain
tiredness and loss of energy
Most tick bites are harmless
Only a small number of ticks are infected with the bacteria that cause Lyme disease. A tick bite can only cause the disease in humans if the tick has bitten an infected animal. Ticks that may cause Lyme disease are found all over Ireland. The high-risk areas include grassy and wooded areas.
The HSE advises people to be aware of ticks and remove them as soon as possible. Lyme disease can be prevented if infected ticks are removed quickly. Tick bites are not always painful. You may not notice a tick unless you see it on your skin. Check your skin and your children’s or pets’ skin after being outdoors.
after a negative result.
Your GP will prescribe antibiotics if they think you have Lyme disease. Some people with severe symptoms will be referred to hospital for injections of antibiotics. Most people with the condition will get better after antibiotic treatment which may take months for some but the symptoms should improve over time.
Some websites offer tests and treatment for Lyme disease. Speak to your GP before buying tests or treatment online.
How to prevent tick bites
To reduce the risk of being bitten:
cover your skin while walking outdoors and tuck your trousers into your socks
use insect repellent on your clothes and skin – products containing DEET are best
stick to paths whenever possible
wear light-coloured clothing so ticks are easier to spot and brush off
Ongoing symptoms
A few people who are diagnosed and treated for Lyme disease continue to have symptoms, such as tiredness, aches, and loss of energy. These can last for years and are often compared to fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. It is not clear why this happens to some people and not others.
