A Zoonosis as a Health Hazard in UK Moorland Recreational Areas: A Case Study of Lyme Disease

This paper discusses the zoonosis Lyme disease in the context of reduction and control options for the human disease, tick vectors, tick hosts and tick habitats. A questionnaire survey on three moorland recreational areas in the UK (Dartmoor, the Quantock Hills and the North York Moors) was carried out to investigate awareness of the problem of Lyme disease by people using these upland areas. A total of 567 questionnaires analysed showed extremely low levels of knowledge of the disease, symptoms, mode of infection and measures which might reduce the risk of tick bites. The results of this study extend knowledge of a countryside management/human health issue which is of increasing concern across the whole of Europe and North America.