Innovative Scottish project hopes to tackle Lyme disease
A new app that identifies tick hotspots could be used to tackle the growing problem of Lyme disease.
A one-year trial of the app will now be carried out by Scottish researchers, after the project received over £180,000 funding from the European Space Agency.
Lyme disease is the most common vector-borne disease in the UK and the number of reported cases in Scotland has increased 10-fold in the past decade.
The LymeMap app uses GPS technology to identify the user's location and the location's height, temperature and ground cover. Users can upload information on ticks, which will be used alongside data from GPs and NHS Highland to produce maps of tick hotspots.
Additionally, the app will provide information and advice on ticks and Lyme disease for members of the public, healthcare professionals, tourist organisations and outdoor and leisure bodies.
The project is being carried out by a consortium of health, veterinary and academic researchers including NHS Highland, Scotland's Rural College and the University of the Highlands.
Lyme disease is carried by ticks, which feed on the blood of humans and other mammals. Often ticks go unnoticed and can feed for several days before dropping off. The longer the tick is attached, the higher the risk of Lyme disease. Left untreated, this can lead to severe and debilitating disease.
Woodland, grassland and moorland are the most high-risk areas, meaning those who work outdoors, tourists and outdoor enthusiasts are most vulnerable.
"Unfortunately, health organisations have limited effective tools at their disposal to reduce the incidence of Lyme disease," explained Roger Evans, a clinical scientist at NHS Highland. "Resident and visiting populations need an approach that will help them prevent getting Lyme disease and manage exposure to ticks.
"From a health and safety and an economic point of view, organisations and businesses that employ people exposed to infected ticks also need a better tool for preventing the disease."
If the trial is successful, the app will go through a demonstration phase before being made commercially available, assuming there is sufficient funding. Researchers also hope to extend it to cater for other zoonotic diseases.
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