Merry Christmas, watch out for blood-sucking ticks on the tree
By Linda on Dec 30, 2009 in Infections
Linda’s comment: This would not make for a great Christmas….This is a serious situation and I have to admit, I hadn’t thought about it until reading this article….Be very careful and don’t let these blood-sucking ticks ruin your Holidays.
Families who bring Christmas trees into their homes should watch out for ticks this holiday season because the tiny blood-sucking, disease-ridden creatures often survive winter temperatures, German daily Bild reported.
“While setting up and decorating the tree a tick can get on clothing,” insurance expert Rolf Dockhorn told Bild, adding that this can be particularly dangerous because people are not expecting the little invaders and may not notice them right away.
Ticks carry Lyme disease, or borreliosis, a dangerous bacterial disease, as well as encephalitis, a virus that attacks the nervous system.
Those who venture out for winter walks should also be on their guard for ticks, the paper said. In warmer years they are able to survive and hide in shrubbery from where they can easily attach themselves to passersby.
The Local (news@thelocal.de)