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 Emergency food

 Anti-tick insect repellent

TICK ALERT

In common with 26 other European countries, Austria is home to the tick, an insect second only to the mosquito for carrying disease to humans – the primary illness in Europe being Tick-Borne Encephalitis (TBE). Ticks live in long grass, shrubs and bushes, and can survive up to 1500m, attaching themselves to humans and animals as they pass. Walkers and campers are especially vulnerable. Victims often do not realise they have been bitten, because the tick injects a toxin which anaesthetises the bite area. Since ticks prefer warm, moist, dark areas of the body, it is advisable to check for bites in those pressure points where clothing presses against the skin, at the back of the knee, armpits and groin. Should you discover a tick, remove it by firmly grasping the insect as close to the skin as possible (tweezers are best), and using a steady movement pull the tick’s body outwards without twisting or jerking. The following methods of prevention are suggested: