We pulled the sheets along the shores in Oulu, and the truth about ticks was quickly revealed

This year, nearly 30,000 mite observations have been made around the country. Last year, a total of 62,000 observations were recorded throughout the year.

Niina Kiljunen, a doctoral researcher, pulls a white sheet after her in Hietasaari in Oulu.

This is a so -called tick sheet. It collects ticks for research purposes.

– There is a wooden bar on the front of the sheet that keeps the sheets straight. At the back of it is a chain that holds the sheet on the ground so that it does not take off with the wind.

Our intention is to test in three Oulu sites to see if there are ticks in the terrain.

The University of Turku and Pfizer Pharmaceutical Company maintain a Punkkilive website where citizens can report their punk observations.

This year, nearly 30,000 mite observations have been made around the country. Last year, a total of 62,000 observations were recorded throughout the year.

50 ticks found in the dog

Oulu Hietasaari is a popular outdoor area.

We pull the sheets along the trail for ten minutes.

It takes one tick.

In his doctoral dissertation, Niina Kiljunen is studying mosquitoes, but ticks have also become familiar through work.

According to Kiljunen, ticks have a certain type of terrain where they enjoy themselves particularly well.

– They are most comfortable in the green deciduous forest, which is rich in undergrowth, where they can climb a possible host.

– Last spring in Kemi in Ruonojansuu, the dogs were off. When we went into the car, our little dog had almost 50 ticks. After all, they could not be thrown out of the window. And more was found in the evening.

Empty -handed from another test site

Our second test venue is the surroundings of Nokela Lintulampi, located next to the center of Oulu, which is a pine fabric.

There is no tick -borne of the sheets here.

Ticks spread borreliosis that can be treated with antibiotics, as well as tick -borne inflammation against which there is a vaccine.

Mites vaccination is free in areas where there are more tick -borne brain inflammation than other areas.

Such areas include all municipalities in Åland and 15 other municipalities mainly in the coastal areas.

These areas are counted as risk areas for the national vaccination program, where the incidence of TBE exceeds 15 cases per 100,000 people in a five -year slip.

From the map below, you can see where the TBE vaccine is free of charge. In these areas, TBE vaccination is part of the national vaccination program.

Interest in the vaccine has grown

In some areas, the incidence of TBE does not exceed the free vaccination limit, but it is so high that it is recommended to take self -publishing vaccination in the area. Recommendations are made by the Department of Health and Welfare.

The residents of Oulu Kaakkuri have been given a recommendation to take the vaccine.

– There are more ticks here. There has been a lot of demand for the vaccine. It was already last year, but since the new recommendation, demand has clearly increased.

A series of three vaccines costs € 90 at Kaakkuri Health Center. A prescription for vaccination is required.

– Yes, tick -borne inflammation can become serious symptoms, so it is recommended that vaccination is recommended, says Minna Juopperi.

We do the last tick sheet test in Kaakkuri.

Niina Kiljunen pulls sheets in a park area near the dog fence.

After five minutes, one tick has already been caught in the sheet.

– I’m not surprised by the result. Ticks are already active. As the temperature rises to five degrees and the snow has melted, they become activated, Kiljunen says.