How prevalent is Lyme disease?

In the United Kingdom, Lyme disease is carried by the sheep tick, Ixodes ricinus.

This tick can also feed on deer and other wild mammals and birds.

The tick prefers to live in woods, heath and moorland, although it does not occur exclusively in these habitats.

People who live in the parts of the country where the tick is prevalent are likely to be at greater risk.

However, cases of the disease are widespread and it is possible that the full picture of tick distribution is not yet fully understood.

Anyone can get Lyme disease if a tick that is carrying the infection has bitten them.