Overview

• The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) advises the public to wear protective clothing, use repellents, and perform regular tick checks during outdoor activities this weekend.
• Ticks, active from March to October, can transmit diseases such as Lyme disease, tick-borne encephalitis, and babesiosis, though only 30–35% of deer ticks carry Lyme disease.
• The Met Office forecasts warm, dry, and sunny conditions for the May 17–18 weekend, encouraging outdoor activities in grassy and wooded areas where ticks are prevalent.
• Ticks must be attached for 24–36 hours to transmit infections; the NHS recommends prompt removal using proper tools to reduce health risks.
• Young children, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals are at higher risk of severe symptoms from tick-borne illnesses.