A FRESH warning has been issued for Brits to be aware of 'vampire bugs' while spending time at beaches, parks and woods this summer. The sun-and-storms mix of heat, humidity and rain is the perfect cocktail and ideal breeding conditions for blood-sucking ticks . 1 Ticks in England can carry Lyme disease and a brain swelling disease called tick-borne encephalitis Credit: Alamy Many of the critters are infected and pass on the dreaded Lyme disease which can leave victims unable to move or speak .
Cases of bacterial infection have risen in recent years, with some English regions seeing higher numbers than others. The bugs can also carry a fatal brain swelling disease called tick-borne encephalitis , a brain-swelling condition which can cause meningitis. Dorset residents in particular have been warned to take extra precautions when outdoors this summer.
READ MORE ON TICKS TICKED OFF Plague of ‘Monster Ticks’ infesting Brit hols hotspots as they spread to Europe BUG BEAR 11 pictures of nasty bug bites to help YOU work out what bit you "It's tick season, so whilst you're out enjoying our wonderful Dorset countryside and seaside, take care to avoid tick bites," Public Health Dorset wrote in a post on its website. "Contact your GP if you notice a clear bullseye rash, or feel unwell with flu-like symptoms," they added. Most people can be treated with a full course of antibiotics, but if left untreated, Lyme disease can spread to the nervous system, which can lead to paralysis and .
