App to track spread of ticks launched

The government has launched an app to track the spread of ticks, which transmit Lyme disease.

Experts at the Institut national de la recherche agronomique (INRA) launched the Signalement TIQUES (tick alert) app on iOS and Android this week, to track the spread of cases which have tripled in the past decade.

In 2015, an estimated 30,000 cases of the disease were reported, health authorities in France have said, though patient associations claim the figure is an underestimation, as many victims fail to recognise the symptoms.

The application calls on hikers enjoying walks in the countryside to help ongoing research on the disease, which has been described on the app as a 'major health issue'. Currently, most cases are reported in central and eastern areas of the country, authorities say, though instances are increasing elsewhere.

Lyme disease, transmitted when ticks suck a host's blood, attacks the nervous system. If left untreated it can lead to heart problems, temporary facial paralysis, seizures and - in severe cases - death. Symptoms may also include a bull’s eye red shaped rash, tiredness, muscle pain and headaches.

Users are asked to enter the location the bite or bites took place, the date, their age and whether the victim is human or animal, as well as how many ticks are involved. They can also send a photograph of the specimen.

"We need to know exactly where and when people are bitten, as well as study varieties of ticks," project co-ordinator Jean-François Cosson said, in an interview with Le Parisien.

The data will help experts to design mathematical models to assess the spread of ticks and indicate areas where the risk is highest.

In early July, health authorities launched a public awareness campaign about the danger posed by ticks, featuring radio adverts and 2,000 posters placed at the entrance to key areas of national forest, the perfect habitat for the animals. Sporting and leisure associations have all been warned to be on the alert due to the proliferation of ticks this summer.

An English version of the app will launch in September, officials said.

Protect yourself from ticks

• Ticks live in tall grass and dense vegetation, so if you are planning a country walk, stick wherever possible to well-marked trails. Keep your arms, legs and feet covered if possible - and consider using a repellent which is available from pharmacies (be aware, not all repellents are recommended for young children or pregnant women).
• After returning from a walk, especially if you have been in long grass or forested areas, check your body for ticks. They like to nest in creases, so check behind the ears, in the neck, scalp, navel, knees and armpits - even genital areas. Repeat the check several hours later to catch any ticks you may have missed earlier. They will be easier to spot as they will have fed.
• If you discover a tick, do not panic. Do not try to remove the animal using an alcohol-based product as this might stress the animal and cause it to release bacteria-filled fluid into your bloodstream.
• Instead, buy a tick remover from a pharmacy and carefully pull the animal out with a twisting motion. A pair of thin tweezers can also be used.
• Once the tick has been removed, disinfect the area, and monitor for the next 30 days. Within 24 hours, a red patch may appear. This is normal. However, if you see a 'bull’s eye red shaped rash' between three to 30 days after a bite, consult your doctor.
• Children under eight and pregnant women should always seek medical advice if they have been bitten by a tick, as should victims of multiple bites, or if a tick has been implanted for more than 36 hours.