The RIVM is warning people to watch for tick bites as Tick Awareness Week begins. The institute advises everyone to check their body and clothing after spending time in nature, because infected ticks can transmit Lyme disease.
Tekenradar.nl, a platform where people report tick bites, says the number of reports has risen in recent weeks. The platform notes that the higher number of reports also increases the risk of illness. Last year, people reported nearly 10,800 tick bites, the highest total in five years. This figure was 41 percent higher than in 2024.
Symptoms of a tick bite include a red spot or ring, fever, and sometimes muscle or joint pain. Health services stress that people often do not notice a bite. They recommend checking for the small black or dark brown spider‑like creatures, or for small red spots. This applies after visits to woods, parks, or dunes, but also after time spent in the garden.
@ANP | News Brainport
