The ticks are coming for us. It was only a matter of time.
Tick-borne disease risks are on the rise globally, according to the European Commission’s environment directorate. Their increase is one of the many ways in which climate change is altering our world.
Changes to temperature, rain, and sunlight, particularly in winter, can make a big difference to a tick’s ability to thrive. Extra sunlight in January is one of the most influential factors in its ability to flourish.
Changes to land use and human-animal interactions are also contributing to why more of these tiny creatures are on the way, says the Chinese research cited by the European Commission this month.
READ MORE
These researchers have modelled where harmful disease-carrying ticks are likely to thrive in the future as climate changes.
The highest-risk regions for future expanding tick colonisation in Europe include France, Spain, Ukraine, Germany, Italy, Poland, Romania and the UK, according to the research.
Indeed, about 50 per cent of land in the UK and 95 per cent of land in Spain offers habitat classed as being of medium-high suitability for ticks, the research says.
A rise in disease-carrying ticks will have health implications for all of us. If tick ranges continue to expand, so too will the risk of tick-borne diseases.
Ticks feed on the blood of humans, animals and birds. Like some sort of vampire game show, they go through four life stages, each requiring a blood meal from a host to graduate to the next level. Between hosts, ticks can spread some pretty serious diseases - so more of them isn’t good news.
A bacterial infection called Lyme disease is probably the one most familiar to us in Ireland. About 5 per cent of ticks in Ireland are thought to carry the disease. Up to 400 people a year are estimated to be infected with Lyme disease in Ireland from ticks, according to the HSE.
Lyme disease can be hard to diagnose - not everyone spots it when they have been bitten by a tiny tick. The disease is no picnic - if left untreated, symptoms can include tiredness, aches, loss of energy, arthritis, neurological conditions such as facial paralysis and heart problems.
Climate change has already extended the peak season for ticks in Ireland, increasing the risk of Lyme disease and other diseases, according to research published by the Irish Medical Journal in 2022.
[ How to spot if your child has a tick bite and what to doOpens in new window ]
You’ll find ticks anywhere in Ireland, including in both urban and rural areas. They are more numerous and active from April to September.
“Anyone who spends time outdoors should protect themselves against tick bites,” Dr Paul McKeown, a public health consultant with the National Health Protection unit has said.
Ticks love an arm or leg, but any warm and sweaty parts not covered by clothing will do.
In children ticks are most likely to bite around the head and neck.
You can limit your risk of a bite by sticking to paths where possible, covering up with long sleeves and long trousers, especially when walking in wooded areas and using insect repellent with DEET, says the HSE.
“Preventing tick bites prevents Lyme disease,” says Dr McKeown.
Human behaviour is at the root of climate breakdown. Burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and intensive agriculture are significantly increasing greenhouse gas emissions.
The greenhouse effect is trapping more heat and causing global warming. Overconsumption and unsustainable practices are contributing to the problem by increasing demand for energy, goods and resources.
We are already seeing the consequences of climate change starting to bite in our lives - more powerful storms are creating damage and knocking out power, heatwaves and wildfires are putting favoured package holiday destinations off limits, there is more flooding, less frost, more water shortages and more erosion.
Soon the consequences of climate change may actually be biting us in the form of more ticks.
