Professions Susceptible To Lyme Disease

Which Professions and Activities Are Linked to Lyme Disease?

Ticks can be found all over the world in a variety of different landscapes and regions, but in the UK are mostly confined to the countryside or open spaces such as parkland. Anyone who frequently spends time in environments such as woodland, grasslands, pastures, parkland, or other outdoors areas can be at risk of being bitten by an infected tick.

The most common professions that involve the risk of being bitten include, but are not limited to:

• Construction
• Forestry
• Farming
• Landscaping
• Gardening
• Horticulture
• Parkland management
• Land management
• Railway maintenance
• Road building and maintenance
• Veterinary work
• Animal husbandry
• Outdoor pursuit instructors
• Canal and river workers
• Electricity distribution workers
• Utility workers

If you regularly spend time outdoors, particularly in remote or countryside areas as part of your employment you are put at a higher risk due to the increased likelihood that you will be working in an area where ticks are likely to reside. However there are a variety of factors that can increase or decrease the risk such as:

• If you work involves you remaining within a sealed vehicle or inside a building the risk is lower than if you are immersed in the environment.
• If your job already involves wearing protective clothing this can reduce the risk of being bitten.

However the risk can be significantly increased if you wear shorts or short-sleeved tops when performing your duties. If you fail to wear protective clothing or equipment provided to you your risk can also increase. If your job involves you travelling to areas with high concentrations of infectious ticks, such as certain areas of North America or Europe, then additional protection should be considered.

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