Ticks are an increasingly present threat in the warm season, endangering the health of both humans and animals. These small but dangerous insects can transmit serious diseases, such as Lyme disease, Q fever, tick encephalitis or babesiosis, and the number of cases is increasing in the Republic of Moldova, IPN reports.
According to the National Public Health Agency, in 2024 alone, more than 240 people were diagnosed with Lyme disease. Among the patients were 88 children, including infants up to two years old. The disease is caused by bacteria transmitted through the bite of an infected tick, and signs can appear between 3 and 30 days after the bite. The most well-known symptom is erythema migrans – a red lesion that appears at the site of the sting, often accompanied by fever, muscle pain and increased fatigue.
The danger is not limited to humans. Pets or domestic animals can also be affected. Veterinarians warn that tick bites can cause inflammation, fever, anemia, paralysis and, in severe cases, even death of the animal. That is why it is essential for owners to periodically check the animals’ fur, especially after walks through areas with tall grass or dense vegetation.
The mild weather conditions of recent years, the lack of disinsection in public spaces and the multiplication of stray animals favored the spread of ticks throughout the year. Specialists explain that these hematophagous parasites can hide in bushes, soil, cracks in buildings or on blades of grass, from where they easily attach themselves to the host – be it human or animal. A single female can lay more than 10,000 eggs, and their life cycle requires three hosts to feed on at different stages of development.
Ticks prefer moist and shady areas and can remain on the host unnoticed for several hours. To reduce the risks, the authorities recommend simple but essential measures: wearing light-colored clothes, dark shoes, using insect nets and repellents, avoiding direct contact with tall vegetation and carefully inspecting the body and clothes after going out in nature. Pets must be combed and checked carefully, and in case of discovery of a tick, the extraction must be done correctly, with tweezers, without crushing the insect or using oils or heat.
Specialists note that the bite of a tick does not automatically mean a disease, but the symptoms should not be ignored. In case of signs of illness, a medical consultation is recommended as soon as possible.
