England’s Lyme disease hotspots revealed: As experts share the five little-known symptoms

By Liam On May 5, 2023

It’s a bacterial infection spread by ticks that affects thousands of Britons every year.

Now an interactive map shows where in England Lyme disease has infected the most people.

The bacteria, which causes a circular rash around the bite, as well as fever, headache and fatigue, was detected in more than 1,000 people across the country last year.

But that figure, which only reflects lab-confirmed infections, doesn’t include the thousands of patients who are sick with Lyme disease but have not been tested.

Experts are urging people to stay safely outdoors this spring and summer, warning that the once-rare disease is now on the rise in the UK.

Preliminary ONS data for 2021 shows there were 1,156 laboratory-confirmed cases of Lyme disease in England and Wales

Since the first confirmed case in the UK in 1985, the recorded incidence of Lyme disease has steadily increased.

UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) data for 2022 shows there were 1,156 laboratory-confirmed cases of Lyme disease in England and Wales.

Nearly three quarters (72.6 per cent) of the country contracted an infection last year, while only 84 of the more than 300 regions in England remained free of Lyme disease.

Somerset was the worst affected part of the country, with 32 cases, followed by Dorset (21), Bristol (20) and Wiltshire (19).

Bath and North East Somerset (17), Hammersmith and Fulham (17), Winchester (16) and New Forest (15) also recorded more than a dozen cases, as did Somerset West and Taunton (15).

But beyond these lab-confirmed cases, there are an estimated 1,000 to 2,000 additional cases of the bacterial infection each year.

As a result, the Lyme Disease UK charity says 3,000 to 4,000 people in England and Wales are affected each year.

However, it warns that this could still be a gross underestimate due to a lack of awareness about the condition and a misdiagnosis.

Basically a research article, published in the journal BMJ opened in 2019 suggested the figure may be three times higher than official statistics.

Ticks are small spider-like critters, they are reddish or dark brown and black in color and they can range from the size of a poppy seed to a baked bean

Natasha Metcalf, co-founder and chair of Lyme Disease UK, is urging people to protect themselves against the disease.

She said: ‘We don’t want people to be afraid to enjoy the outdoors, but to get people out there armed with the facts and knowledge they need to protect themselves and others from Lyme disease.

“Early intervention is key, and getting that message across to the public is crucial.”

The bacteria is spread by ticks, which are tiny spider-like critters that range from reddish to black in color and can be the size of a poppy seed or baked bean.

The insects can be found in every county in the UK, but they mainly live in grassy areas in woodlands, in city parks and gardens.

It is thought that around 10 per cent of ticks in the UK are carriers of Lyme disease, an infection caused by a spiral-shaped bacteria called Borrelia burgdorferi that is spread through their bites.

What Are the Symptoms of Lyme Disease?

Rash

Rash is one of the most obvious signs of Lyme disease to watch out for.

The rash of erythema migrans (EM), often referred to as a bull’s-eye because of the red circular rings, needs immediate treatment, says the Lyme Disease UK charity.

However, the rash does not always present in the same way, especially on darker skin, and a third of people do not develop a rash at all.

It also may not take on a ring shape and instead have a firm or bruise-like appearance.

The behavior of a rash after a tick bite is the most important thing to watch out for, warns Lyme Disease UK.

An EM rash takes a minimum of three days, and in some cases up to three months, to appear.

It generally does not itch, is not painful or hot and gradually spreads outwards.

However, if you have redness or itching immediately after a tick bite, it’s usually a histamine reaction.

The erythema migrans (EM) rash, often referred to as a bull’s-eye because of the red circular rings, needs immediate treatment, says the Lyme Disease UK charity

How do I remove a tick?

Ticks should be removed with a tick remover or very fine-tipped tweezers, taking care to remove all parts of the tick.

A tick remover should be an essential part of any first aid kit.

There is no minimum time a tick must be in place to transmit an infection. However, it should be removed as soon as possible.

Never pull a tick with your fingers, normal tweezers or any other unsuitable tool.

It is also very important not to smother a tick in oil, petroleum jelly, or any other substance to try and remove it.

This can stress the tick and cause it to respond by regurgitating the contents of its stomach into the host’s bloodstream

How to stay safe

Bring an effective tick repellent on outdoor trips and a tick remover.
Permethrin-treated outerwear should also be considered for high-risk activities and occupations.
Don’t walk through long grass and stay on paths whenever possible.
Wear light-colored clothing to make it easier to spot and remove ticks.
Wear long sleeves and tuck pants into socks.
Shower and do a thorough tick check on yourself, children and pets when you get home.
Remember ticks can be as small as poppy seeds so careful monitoring is essential. Pay special attention to the hairline and behind the ears of young children.
Talk to your vet about pet tick prevention products and check them daily for ticks.

Source: Lyme Disease UK

Flu-like symptoms

Not everyone gets a rash.

Some people experience flu-like symptoms.

Often likened to a ‘summer flu’, Lyme Disease UK says some people may experience headaches, a stiff neck, muscle aches and fatigue.

Some small children may also show behavioral changes because they are unable to verbalize how they are feeling, the charity adds.

If Lyme disease is left untreated or not treated early, more serious symptoms can develop weeks, months, or even years later.

Pain and swelling in the joints, known as inflammatory arthritis, is one of the more serious symptoms that can occur after Lyme disease, according to the government’s website.

Muscle and joint pain can also be felt just weeks or days after getting a tick bite, the NHS says.

Facial paralysis

More serious symptoms can develop if Lyme disease is left untreated.

Drooping on one side of the face or a weakness of your facial muscles is another indication of an infection.

That’s because the bacteria that causes Lyme disease can also damage the nervous system, including the facial nerve.

Weakness or paralysis of the facial muscles can be seen in someone infected with Lyme disease and usually affects the side of the face, according to the Facial Palsy UK charity.

This symptom is especially common in children, says Lyme Disease UK.

Some people may also experience nerve pain.

This pain can feel sharp or tingling and follow the course of the nerve, according to the government’s website.

Memory problems

Being forgetful and having trouble concentrating are also later symptoms of the disease.

The bacteria that causes Lyme disease can cause not only numbness and nerve pain, but also memory problems and concentration problems, according to the government website.

If the disease is treated at an early stage, you are less likely to develop memory problems.

In the early stages, Lyme disease can cause conjunctivitis that makes your eyes bloodshot, irritated, and swollen

Eye problems

Blurred vision can be a sign of Lyme disease.

The Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria that causes Lyme disease can also alter your eyesight, according to the charity Guide Dogs UK.

People may experience floaters and inflammation, usually in the late stages of the disease.

However. this vision change may be temporary and may improve or disappear with treatment of the disease.

In the early stages, the disease can cause conjunctivitis that makes your eyes bloodshot, irritated, and swollen.

Due to the neurological effects of the infection, it can cause muscle twitching anywhere on the body, including the eyes.

The charity also points to a rarer eye symptom known as optic neuritis.

This is where the optic nerve becomes inflamed, which can lead to severe eye pain and vision loss, but experts say it’s unclear how Lyme disease directly causes this.