30% of the French population have already been bitten by a tick, a parasitic mite that can cause Lyme borreliosis, commonly called Lyme disease, indicates a new barometer from Public Health France of February 22, 2022. Where? How to protect yourself from it?
“In 2019, 30% of the population said they had been bitten by a tick lifetime and 6% in the last 12 months” reveals a barometer of Public Health France published on Tuesday, February 22, 2022.”In 2019, 25% of the population felt exposed to tick bites compared to 23% in 2016. The proportion of people who have heard of Lyme borreliosis increased from 66% in 2016 to 79% in 2019, as well as the proportion of people who feel well informed (from 29% to 41%)“. Lyme borreliosis (BL), better known as Lyme diseaseis the vector-borne disease transmitted by ticks the most common in France with an average incidence of 59 cases per 100,000 inhabitants between 2009 and 2019.
The majority of people reported being bitten in three dominant areas:
- 52% in the forest
- 22% on the edge of meadows or meadows
- 16% in a garden
The study also shows a higher proportion of tick bites among people working outdoors, such as Farmers.
Lyme borreliosis (BL) is the most common vector-borne disease transmitted by ticks in France
“The majority of the French population (94%) thinks that tick bites always (30%) or sometimes (64%) have consequences for human health.“. In 2016, a national plan to combat tick-borne diseases was launched by the Ministry of Health, including improving prevention against tick bites. “These results will make it possible to target future prevention campaigns to certain age groups or regions most at risk.” concludes Public Health France. “In the absence of a vaccine, preventative measures aimed at reducing the transmission of infections through tick bites are essential”. Here are some preventive measures:
- Wearing long clothes
- the careful examination of the body after exposure to the risk of sting
- removal of the tick in the event of a bite
Source: Knowledge and prevention practices against Lyme borreliosis and tick bites in metropolitan France: Health Barometer 2019 and 2016. February 22, 2022, Public Health France. 2019 This is a telephone survey conducted with a probability sample of people aged 18 to 85 residing in metropolitan France.