Do clients know enough to protect their pets and themselves from tick-borne diseases?

Abstract

Background: In the past risks from ticks and tick-borne diseases (TBDs) have been limited to particular times of the year and particular areas of the UK. However, in recent years the abundance and distribution of ticks in the UK has increased and ticks have been found to be active for prolonged periods. This has led to an increased risk from ticks and native TBDs. Additionally since the introduction of the Pet Travel Scheme (PETS) in 2000 the risks from exotic ticks and exotic TBDs have increased. Client and staff knowledge is therefore essential to minimize the impact of these increased risks. Aim: To investigate client and staff knowledge of ticks and related issues in different areas of the UK. Materials and methods: Client and staff questionnaires were produced to test their knowledge of ticks and related issues via multiple-choice quiz type questions. They were distributed to five practices in a zoonotic high-risk area and five in a zoonotic low-risk area, determined according to the prevalence of borreliosis (Lyme disease). Once completed, client and staff questionnaires were marked and given a knowledge score with one mark for every correct answer selected. Results: Analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed that clients and staff in zoonotic high-risk areas had significantly (p<0.001 and p=0.006 respectively) better knowledge compared with those in zoonotic low-risk areas. No significant difference was found in the knowledge of clients who were members of PETS and those who were not. Conclusions: Risks posed by ticks and TBDs are no longer confined to high-risk areas. Tick populations are growing and expanding, people travel within the UK as well as abroad with their pets, and due to PETS the risk of exposure to exotic diseases both abroad and within the UK is increasing (especially in view of changes to the scheme in January 2012). All clients whether residing in high or low-risk areas need to be made aware of ticks, the potential for tick-borne diseases and how to protect their pets from such diseases.