As the summer season unfolds in Luxembourg, the warm and dry weather increases the likelihood of encountering ticks. In response to this, the Ministry of Health has released information and recommendations on tick prevention and management.
However, their assertion that ticks infesting pets do not pose a threat to humans has stirred controversy.
The Ministry of Health stated in a press release that ticks infesting pets belong to species that do not bite humans and, therefore, do not transmit Lyme disease. This statement has been met with disagreement within medical circles, with some arguing that ticks can indeed pass from pets to humans.
The Ministry of Health did not respond to requests for comments on Thursday. It was not until Friday that a correction was issued, acknowledging that ticks may infest both pets and larger animals, including humans. However, the ministry maintains that unlike fleas, ticks do not pass from dogs or cats to humans.
Veterinarian Romi Roth, in a discussion with RTL.lu, explained the likelihood of ticks biting humans after infesting a pet. She stated, “It depends on the stage at which the tick was on the dog or cat. The Robert Koch Institute in Germany states that statistically, ticks more commonly fall off of cats, and it can even be the case that they haven’t yet bitten into the cat to feed. If such ticks fall off a cat, they can absolutely latch onto humans, presenting potential risks.”
Roth further noted that even if a tick has already partially fed on a pet, it could still bite a human. She advises pet owners to remain vigilant and inspect their pets after spending time in nature. She stressed the importance of properly disposing of any ticks found to prevent reinfestation and the potential transmission to humans.
The Ministry of Health’s press release did not specify the experts or institute on which its recommendations were based, leaving this detail undisclosed.
As the debate continues, pet owners are urged to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions to protect both their pets and themselves from potential tick infestations.
