Rise in insect bites and Lyme disease cases due to hot weather
The UK is seeing an increase in insect bites and tick-borne Lyme disease cases, attributed to the ongoing hot weather conditions.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story.
The UK is experiencing a sharp rise in insect bites and tick-borne Lyme disease cases, driven by the ongoing hot weather. Data from NHS 111 shows a significant increase in calls about bites since the end of May, with the actual number of calls (represented by a yellow line) far exceeding the expected baseline (pink line).
Experts warn that both insects and ticks are thriving in the heat. Mosquitoes can fly faster and their breeding cycle accelerates, with each bite potentially leading to 200 to 300 eggs. Ticks, which are arachnids with eight legs rather than insects, are also becoming more active.
One victim, Tim Taylor, a former deputy head teacher, described how a tick bite led to years of debilitating illness. He was bitten in 2012 but did not develop symptoms until 2017, experiencing cognitive problems, crushing fatigue, and eventually losing his job. It took 15 months and over 30 NHS appointments to get a diagnosis of Lyme disease. He has since recovered to near full health after a seven- to eight-year ordeal.
Howard Carter, an insect bite expert, emphasised the importance of protection. He advised using insect repellents, covering up by tucking trousers into socks, keeping to paths, and checking for symptoms such as the classic bullseye rash. He also noted that mosquitoes have developed tolerance to some repellents like DEET, and recommended a step system including preparing the skin with citronella soap and using repellents with DEET or PMD at concentrations of 20% or above.
The hot weather is expected to continue, and health officials urge the public to take precautions to avoid bites and reduce the risk of Lyme disease.
On screen
Stills are sampled automatically at 60-second intervals. Where shown, the still is the nearest available frame from the relevant broadcast segment and is included to show what was on screen during that part of the broadcast. A still may not correspond to the exact second of a quoted phrase.
Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, mapped by channel. Ordered by how many channels carried each claim.
| Claim | Channel 5 |
|---|---|
| Lyme disease can remain dormant for years before becoming active. | |
| Mosquitoes fly faster and breed faster in hot weather. | |
| NHS 111 calls about insect bites increased since hot weather began. |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
The channel focused on the personal impact of Lyme disease through the story of Tim Taylor, a former deputy head teacher whose life was severely affected. It also gave extensive airtime to expert Howard Carter's practical advice, including his 'TICK' acronym and a step system for insect repellent. The tone was informative and concerned, with a strong emphasis on prevention.
- “I was 51. Life was going really well. I was sporty, doing well at work and then suddenly I wasn't.”
- “It changed my life and not for the better.”
- “Using insect repellents, I've come up with an acronym for ticks.”
Broadcast Timeline
News broadcasts tracked for this story, in time order.