RIVM and Wageningen University researchers expect the tick bite season to reach its peak in the next few weeks. The peak will coincide with the start of the summer holidays.
Rise in number of tick bite reports
People can have tick bites throughout the year. “We have seen a sharp rise in the number of reported tick bites the past few weeks”, says Kees van de Wijngaard, epidemiologist at RIVM. “That rise is common this time of year. What is striking is that the number of reports in the first six months of 2024 is 39% lower than the average for this period. We do not have a clear explanation why. The bad weather this spring could have caused people to visit green areas less often, resulting in fewer tick reports.”
Lyme disease
Every year 1.5 million tick bites are reported in the Netherlands. Most people do not become ill when bitten but around 27,000 people a year get Lyme disease from a tick bite. Tekenradar.nl shows where many people have been bitten by ticks lately and where people contracted Lyme disease. Anyone can register on this website to take part in research into tick bites and Lyme disease.
Research in the Nijmegen area
This year, RIVM, in partnership with Radboudumc, is looking for people in and around Nijmegen who showed a red ring or blotchy rash after being bitten by a tick. These people will be examined to see how the immune system reacts to the infection. That knowledge can be used to improve the diagnosis and treatment of Lyme disease. Those interested can register at Tekenradar.nl before treatment with antibiotics or as soon as possible afterwards. You will then be invited to take part in the research.
Check for tick bites
If you have been in the garden, the woods, the dunes or the park, check yourself for tick bites. If you have a tick, remove it immediately with tweezers. Keep a close eye on the area of the bite for another three months. Call your GP if you observe a ring or blotchy rash around the area of the tick bite or if you start to suffer from other health problems.