By Alexis Chesney, ND, LAc

As summer arrives, many US families are planning vacations and trips abroad. This reminds me of a patient I met this year who reported experiencing the onset of a fever, flu-like symptoms, and joint pain upon returning from a biking trip in Europe.

Upon testing, Borrelia garinii, one of the Borrelia species that causes Lyme disease in Europe, was confirmed.

This case highlights the importance of being aware of the different types of ticks and the diseases they can transmit when traveling abroad. By understanding these risks and taking preventive measures, you can ensure a safer and more enjoyable trip if you are traveling to Europe this summer.

European ticks and diseases they may carry

• Ixodes ricinus (Castor Bean Tick): Anaplasma phagocytophylum, Babesia spp, Borrelia burgdorferi, Borrelia afzelii, Borrelia garinii, Borrelia bavariensis, Borrelia spielmanii, Borrelia miyamotoi, Rickettsia spp, and tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) virus.
• Ixodes persulcatus (Taiga Tick): Borrelia afzelii, B. garinii, B. valaisiana, Borrelia miyamotoi, Rickettsia spp, tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) virus.
• Hyalomma marginatum (Mediterranean Hyalomma): Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus.
• Dermacentor reticulatus (Ornate Cattle Tick): Rickettsia slovaca, R. raoultii (tick-borne lymphadenopathy (TIBOLA)), tick-borne encephalitis virus.
• Dermacentor marginatus (Ornate Sheep Tick): Rickettsia slovaca, R. raoultii (tick-borne lymphadenopathy (TIBOLA)), Coxiella burnetii (Q Fever), Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus.

Since ticks in North America do not carry tick-borne encephalitis virus or Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus, it’s essential to be aware of the symptom profiles for these diseases, which can be acquired overseas.

Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) symptoms

• Early Symptoms (first five days):
  • Fever
  • Fatigue
  • Headache
  • Muscle pain
  • Nausea
• Asymptomatic Phase (seven days):
• Next Phase:
  • Meningitis
  • Meningoencephalitis
  • Myelitis
  • Paralysis
  • Radiculitis

Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Symptoms

• Fever
• Headache
• Muscle pain
• Malaise
• Light sensitivity
• Abdominal pain
• Diarrhea, vomiting
• Hemorrhagic symptoms (may include petechiae, nosebleeds, bruising, severe hemorrhages)

Prevention Tips

• Use tick repellents: DEET or TickShield by Cedarcide, a natural cedarwood oil spray safe for humans and dogs over 20 pounds, applied every 1-2 hours.
• Permethrin treatment: Treating socks and sneakers with permethrin decreases the chance of getting a tick bite by 73 times! Before you pack, treat shoes, socks, clothing and gear with permethrin. Wear gloves (permethrin is toxic to our skin when wet) when you spray down materials outdoors. Safe to touch when dry. Treatment lasts six weeks with do-it-yourself treatment.
• Perform nightly body checks for ticks after a day of potential exposure. Ticks love warm, moist areas, so be thorough.
• Put your clothes in the dryer (skip the washer) on high for six minutes after coming indoors. This kills ticks effectively.

If you get bitten by a tick, save the tick for testing. Place it in a zip lock bag and send it to a trusted facility such as TickReport once you return home. This is crucial, especially if you develop symptoms after a tick bite.

Watch for symptoms especially over the next 30 days from a tick bite: “bull’s-eye” or other rash around tick bite, fever, flu-like symptoms, joint pain or swelling, muscle pain, headaches, neck pain, facial palsy, lymph node swelling,  palpitations, night sweats, air hunger or non-exertional shortness of breath, chest pain, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, cough, sore throat, confusion, disorientation, difficulty breathing or speaking, loss of coordination, seizures, lethargy, paralysis, body rash. Report symptoms to a [Lyme-literate] health care provider.

Learn more

Bringing awareness and taking preventive measures can significantly reduce the risk of tick-borne diseases. For more detailed information and resources, consider reviewing her new online course, Preventing Lyme and Tick-Borne Diseases: Ticks from Around the World, Diseases They Carry, Prevention, and Acute Treatments.

By staying informed and taking these preventive steps, you can enjoy a safer travel experience this summer.

Alexis Chesney ND, LAc is a naturopathic physician and acupuncturist specializing in the treatment of Lyme and other tick-borne diseases. For more information about her book Preventing Lyme  and her protocols, see her website.