The ticks are loose again
Despite Corona crisis, walks in the forest and across meadows are allowed. Work also continues in forestry and horticulture. Forests, meadows and gardens are mostly tick areas in Switzerland. Watch out: The small animals are now active again!
Although one hundred percent protection against tick-borne diseases is not possible, the risk of a tick bite can be reduced with simple behaviors:
- In the forest, in gardens and along roadsides, avoid brush and undergrowth to avoid shedding ticks.
- Wear closed clothing of a light color (this allows ticks to be detected and removed before they get on the skin).
- Use tick repellent for skin and clothing.
- After stay in the forest or garden body after Ticks scan
If a tick is found: Remove as soon as possible (best with pointed tweezers or special tick forceps).
Suva's occupational physician, Felix Ineichen, recommends that all people who regularly spend time outdoors, and especially those who work in forests and meadows, take a Tick vaccination. "The tick vaccination protects against tick-borne encephalitis. This can be triggered by a virus that infected ticks can transmit to humans when they bite," says Suva's tick specialist. For occupational groups with an increased risk of tick bites, the employer pays for the vaccination.
Suva and the other UVG insurers record a good 11,000 tick bites each year. Tick bites are considered accidents under insurance law. Overall, they cause annual costs of around 12.4 million Swiss francs. 90 percent of tick accidents occur during leisure time. Tick accidents during work are rather rare. However, certain occupational groups, such as foresters, have a greatly increased risk of tick bites.
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