Ticks - A rising health threat in Spain

are people that walk in rural areas, especially during the spring. The problem is that the number of ticks appears to be rising.

The warmer weather is increasing the tick’s repro­ ductive period and so they are producing more ticks, more often in a greater space of time.

This year the weather has favoured a species of ticks that don’t require hu­ midity to reproduce.

People should be aware when walking through grassland, but each government administration should be working towards controlling the tick population by looking after grassland and rural areas where people like to walk.

It is recommended that people walking their dogs should have their pets treated to avoid the parasite. And, when they have finished their walk people should check their bodies for any signs of ticks. The places a tick like to attach itself are around the groin area, the head, the back of the ears, elbows and knees.