That tick bites can lead to Lyme disease is known from the past. But it is not the only dreaded tick-borne disease.
A new study now shows that six people living within a defined area in Denmark have all been diagnosed with arthritis as a result of Lyme disease during the past two and a half years.
The common denominator for the six is that they have gone on a walk in the nature area Marbæk Plantage, which is located a little north of Esbjerg, in the west of Jutland.
– It is the first time we have seen so many cases of tick-borne arthritis. It is very surprising and something we have never seen before in Denmark, says head of department at Odense University Hospital, Nanna Skaarup Andersen, to Danish TV 2.
Several cases
The channel has received confirmation from the hospitals in Esbjerg and the neighboring town of Grindsted that they have treated six cases of arthritis caused by Lyme disease.
The infectious disease Lyme disease is spread via tick bites, and is the most common tick-borne disease in both Norway and Europe.
According to Helse Norge, the disease is caused by a group of bacteria called Borrelia bacteria which are transmitted via tick bites.
All six cases of arthritis caused by Lyme disease were found in men aged 40 to 80 years. They have been diagnosed with arthritis in the knee or wrist as a result of a tick bite.
What is true and what is not true about tick bites? We have received answers from the experts. Video: Flåttsenteret / NTB / Storyblocks.
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New discovery
The Danish Statens Serum Institut informs TV 2 that they are aware that Lyme infection can cause joint problems. This applies particularly somewhat later in the course of the disease, which typically occurs weeks to months after infection.
But according to Nanna Skaarup Andersen, who has been researching this since 2018, it is new that so many cases have been found in a limited area.
– It is the first time we have seen it gather in a small geographical area of Denmark, she says.
The study is currently unpublished, and is now subject to peer review, meaning that the research is assessed as to whether it can be published.
According to Norwegian Health Informatics, the symptoms of arthritis are painful, swollen and warm joints. The disease usually attacks small joints in the fingers and toes first. A characteristic is morning stiffness and reduced general condition.
