Tick bites rise in Moldova: Know the risks
As the weather warms, the tick season has begun. At the "Valentin Ignatenco" Municipal Children's Clinical Hospital, an average of three cases of tick bites in children are reported daily.
Ticks attach to the human body, where they feed on blood and can transmit various pathogens. They can also cause serious illnesses, such as Lyme disease (Borreliosis). Specialists urge people to be cautious and take preventive measures.
The most common tick-borne illness in the Republic of Moldova is Lyme disease. According to Parascovia Gori, an epidemiologist from the National Agency for Public Health, who spoke in an interview for Radio Moldova, recent environmental conditions have favored the proliferation of ticks virtually year-round, leading to increased contact between ticks and people. According to her, ticks are found in grassy and humid areas – forests, parks, and bushes – and people can be accidentally bitten when they enter these environments.
An infected tick bite can transmit pathogens causing diseases such as tick-borne encephalitis, Lyme disease, Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, Q fever, and babesiosis. Ticks most frequently attach to exposed areas of the body: the lower and upper extremities (arms and legs), well-vascularized areas such as the neck, groin, armpits, abdomen, neck, and head.
In this regard, prevention is the only solution. Parascovia Gori recommends using tick repellents and applying anti-tick treatments to reduce the risk of exposure. Also, we should avoid tick-infested areas unless absolutely necessary. After spending time outdoors, it's important to carefully check clothing and thoroughly inspect our bodies using a mirror.
Cover arms and legs by wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants. Wear closed-toe, light-colored athletic shoes (sneakers), and avoid wearing sandals in high-risk areas. Use light-colored clothing and picnic blankets to easily spot ticks. When hiking, stay in the middle of trails, avoiding contact with surrounding vegetation. And if sleeping outdoors, on the ground or in a tent, use insect repellent around sleeping areas and a protective groundsheet.
People we spoke with reported being bitten by ticks. While some sought medical attention, others preferred to remove them themselves.
One person said: "After being outdoors and showering, I simply noticed there was some initial inflammation. It wasn't embedded too deeply in the skin. Most ticks are found in grassy areas, in forests or parks. I have a very good piece of advice: when you go to such places, it's a good idea to wear long pants and use insect spray."
Another person commented: "I haven't been seriously bitten by a tick, and I hope I never am, because it's a dangerous problem."
Regarding removal, one individual explained: "First of all, if the tick hasn't embedded itself in the skin, it can be easily removed. However, if it has embedded, then you need to see a doctor. Because if it's pulled out incorrectly, the head can remain in the skin, leading to complications."
A further recommendation from a person was: "For people who go outdoors to grassy or similar areas, I recommend they wear long-sleeved clothing and long pants, use special insect sprays, and after being outdoors, carefully check their bodies to see if any ticks have attached."
According to the National Agency for Public Health, last year in the Republic of Moldova, approximately 250 cases of Lyme disease were recorded, with 88 among children under the age of 17. The Administration of the Green Spaces Management Association says that the tick control campaign in Chișinău's parks will only begin after the Easter holidays.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
