UKHSA warning after 1,500 cases of rare disease confirmed

UKHSA warning after 1,500 cases of rare disease confirmedUKHSA is urging people to make an important check after spending time outsideCommentsNewsRory Poulter14:18, 15 Apr 2026View 2 ImagesThe UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has released updated guidance(Image: Oscar Wong via Getty Images)Brits heading out to enjoy the spring sunshine are being warned to stay alert to a hidden health risk lurking in grass and woodland.‌The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued fresh advice urging walkers, cyclists and families to check themselves for ticks after spending time outdoors – as the tiny parasites can carry infections including Lyme disease. Officials say ticks are active all year round but are at their peak between April and July, just as millions head outside to make the most of warmer weather.‌They are commonly found in grassy and wooded areas – but can also turn up in urban parks and even gardens, meaning the risk is not confined to remote countryside.‌View 2 ImagesBrits heading out to enjoy the spring sunshine are being warned to stay alert(Image: Kilito Chan via Getty Images)What are the risks?Ticks can carry Lyme disease, a bacterial infection transmitted through bites. While not all ticks are infected – and not every bite leads to illness – health experts say vigilance is key.There are around 1,500 laboratory-confirmed cases of Lyme disease in England and Wales each year, with a further 1,000 to 2,000 diagnoses made based on clinical symptoms.‌One of the most recognisable warning signs is a distinctive ‘bullseye’ rash that can appear between three and 30 days after a bite – although this does not develop in every case. Other symptoms include fever, headaches, fatigue, nerve pain and, in some cases, facial drooping.If left untreated, the infection can lead to more serious complications, including joint problems, nerve issues and – in rare cases – heart symptoms.However, health officials stress that Lyme disease is still considered uncommon in the UK and ca...