Tick bites are a growing problem in the Netherlands, especially in Overijssel and Gelderland. Lyme disease is transmitted by ticks and is difficult to recognise. Late treatment can lead to serious health problems. In the Week of the Tick, UT researchers therefore call for research into better diagnostics, monitoring and prevention of Lyme disease.
Every year, over 15,000 people in the provinces of Overijssel and Gelderland seek medical attention after a tick bite. Lyme disease is notoriously difficult to diagnose the infection. The familiar ‘red ring’ does not always appear, and the bacteria themselves are difficult to detect directly. This leads to many patients receiving late or inappropriate treatment.
Prevention is challenging
UT, together with Wageningen University & Research, previously made a social impact in this area with the Tick Radar. This platform predicts tick activity and the risk of Lyme infection. By combining reports of tick bites, scientific data and weather data, the platform makes an expectation of the number of ticks in your neighbourhood. In this way, the Tick Radar helps improve prevention and education.
But preventing tick bites remains difficult. ‘They are small creatures and are therefore hard to spot,’ says Pepijn Beekman, guest researcher at UT. Existing tests cannot always determine with certainty whether someone is infected with the bacteria that cause Lyme disease. That is why Beekman advocates innovative technologies that contribute to better diagnostics.
Better diagnosis possible
With existing methods, it is still difficult to recognise an infection at an early stage. ‘With the latest techniques, we can develop a solution where we detect the bacteria in the blood,’ says Jurriaan Huskens, professor of molecular nanofabrication. Huskens: ‘We can use sensors that are so sensitive that they can detect single bacteria particles already. In doing so, we can make coatings that can recognise very specifically what kind of bacteria it is, and whether the patient's body is producing the right antibodies.’
According to Wouter Groothengel, safety expert at the municipality of Enschede, Lyme is a creeping health threat in the eastern Netherlands. Groothengel: ‘Green regions with lots of nature are the ideal habitat for ticks. Early detection prevents health damage and provides valuable data. UT's development of advanced Lyme diagnostics can be an important step to protect the regional population and increase our knowledge about this disease.’
Week of the Tick
The Week of the Tick ('Week van de Teek'), which this year takes place from 31 March to 5 April, is an annual campaign to raise awareness about tick bites and the risks of Lyme disease. During this week, organisations across the Netherlands draw attention to prevention, early detection and the consequences of a tick bite. This is extra relevant for Overijssel and Gelderland, where the number of tick bites and Lyme infections is above average.
