The tick while walking in Denmark
Ticks are increasingly found in Scandinavia and therefore also in Denmark. This country, like the Netherlands, has to deal with the tick species Ixodes Ricinus, but this is an even greater danger in Denmark. The tick can not only carry Lyme disease, but is also the carrier of other nasty diseases in Denmark. So pay close attention when walking in forests and nature reserves in this country, because the ticks are very vicious.
Tick-borne encephalitis / TBE
Denmark is dealing with the tick Ixodes Ricinus, which can transmit the disease Tick-borne Encephalitis. This viral infection sometimes causes inflammation in the brain. A week after the tick bite, fever and flu can develop and one in three people will develop encephalitis at a later stage. This is often accompanied by headaches, dizziness and stiffness of the neck, shoulders and back. There is a vaccine against this disease, but there is no treatment.
Ticks with Rickettsia found in Denmark
Ticks have been found in Denmark that carry the bacterium Rickettsia Helvetica and can transmit it to humans after a bite. This virus is characterized by mild flu-like symptoms and can develop into heart disease and/or inflammation of the aortic valve.
Lyme disease
Lyme disease is also a problem in Denmark, just like in the Netherlands, where the Ixodes Ricinus can also carry the Borrelia bacteria. The symptom of this disease is a red circular spot at the site of the tick bite. After the development of this spot, fever and flu can occur. The bacteria can later also affect the joints, the nervous system and the heart. Treatment is necessary, because the disease can even be fatal. There is no vaccine against this virus.
Risk areas in Denmark
Denmark is a country with many forests and nature reserves, which are full of ticks. The ticks are mainly in the southern areas of Denmark. The island of Bornholm and the north of Zealand are called risk areas and here it is possible to get vaccinated against tick-borne encephalitis (TBE).