Do you wonder if there are ticks in Thailand? If you’re planning a trip through the Thai forest, a lot of preparation needs to happen beforehand. You must consider many things, including protecting yourself against poisonous plants and animals. But are there ticks in Thailand?
Yes, there are many species of ticks in Thailand, including ticks from the Boophilus, Dermacentor, and Rhipicephalus genera. These ticks can spread various diseases to humans and are commonly found on stray animals and livestock. Use insect repellant and wear long-sleeved clothing to protect yourself from ticks and tick bites.
Related: Is There Yellow Fever In Thailand?
Are Ticks Common In Thailand?
Ticks are about as common in Thailand as in many other countries with warmer climates. Ticks live on stray animals, wild animals, and livestock, where they suck on the blood of these animals. The problem is that ticks are often disease carriers and can spread deadly viruses to animals and people.
Fortunately, most pet owners treat their animals for tick infestations, which aren’t as common in urban areas. However, if you decide to stroll about in the Thai forest, you may just come across a tick or two while walking through the jungle.
Which Ticks Are Found In Thailand?
There are over sixty species of ticks in Thailand, all of which can potentially carry some virus or another. The most common tick species in Thailand fall under the Ixodidae family. The most common tick geneses found in Thailand include:
- Boophilus
- Dermacentor
- Rhipicephalus
- Haemaphysalis
- Nosomma
- Amblyomma
- Ixodes
These tick species are mostly found on animals but may latch onto humans when given a chance. It is, therefore, of utmost importance that you check yourself for ticks after walking in the forest and take preventative measures so you don’t get bit or contract a disease from the ticks.
Where Are Ticks Found In Thailand?
Ticks can be found anywhere in Thailand, although they are more common in rural areas with many stray animals, farms, and jungles with wildlife. Ticks parasitize mammals, birds, and even some reptiles, so you may find ticks in any area with these animals.
As mentioned, ticks aren’t found in developed areas as much since there aren’t as many animals, and most pets are treated for them. However, stray dogs and cats often have ticks, which can spread to other animals and people they encounter. You should therefore stay clear of them if possible.
Do Ticks In Thailand Cause Lyme Disease?
Lyme disease is a potentially fatal disease caused by a virus spread by ticks, specifically black-legged ticks. Lyme disease is rarely fatal in humans, more so in animals like cats and dogs. If you don’t get treated for Lyme disease, the illness may progress, and you will take longer to recover.
Fortunately, there haven’t been many reported cases of Lyme disease in Thailand. You are moderately safe from contracting Lyme disease if you get bitten by a tick in Thailand. But, if you notice these symptoms after a tick bite, seek medical attention immediately. Lyme disease symptoms include:
- A reddish-pink rash
- Fatigue
- Headaches
- Muscle pain
- Joint pain
Lyme disease can cause long-term health problems, so you should seek treatment as soon as you experience one or more of the above symptoms.
How To Protect Yourself Against Ticks In Thailand?
Although you might not need to take preventative measures for ticks in developed areas of Thailand, you certainly should take them if you are going about in the wilderness. Also, take caution if you plan on feeding or petting stray animals in the city.
You can never protect yourself 100% from a tick bite. Still, you can take measures to significantly reduce your chances of getting bit and potentially contracting a disease. The best way to protect yourself against tick bites is to wear long-sleeved clothing and tuck your pants into your socks when hiking.
This stops ticks from getting in under your pants. Use bug spray and insect repellant to deter the ticks, and check your entire body for tick bites after completing an outdoor activity. Avoid stray animals with ticks to prevent them from getting on you, and check your house pets regularly for ticks.
Are Ticks A Big Problem In Thailand?
Ticks aren’t a big problem for the most part in Thailand, except when it comes to stray animals. Unfortunately, there are hundreds of thousands of stray animals in Thailand, with Bangkok having nearly 300,000.
These stray animals are often covered with ticks and fleas, which spread to other animals and occasionally to people. This means that even urban areas have ticks, and there is a risk of you getting bitten by one while in the country.
You should, therefore, often check for ticks on you and use insect repellent before going outside to deter them.
What Sickness Can You Get From Ticks?
There are many illnesses and diseases you can get from a tick bite. The illnesses spread by ticks can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or pathogens that live in ticks and are spread to the animals and people they bite. Some of the most common tick-borne illnesses include:
- Lyme disease
- Hemorrhagic fever
- Tick’s Encephalitis
- Karshi virus
These illnesses are all curable but cause a host of symptoms and health problems that are unpleasant and possibly dangerous. This is why you must take preventative action when traveling around Thailand, so you don’t get bit by a tick.
What Should You Do After Getting A Tick Bite In Thailand?
If you notice a tick on you after going out in Thailand, you should carefully remove it. Using a tick removal tool or fine-tip tweezers, grip the tick as close as possible to your skin and pull it out gently.
Don’t squash the tick or its head, as this can cause you to become infected with a disease. After removing the tick, wash your skin with warm water and antibacterial soap, and apply an antiseptic ointment to the area.
Monitor your body and the area of the tick bite for a few days, and see a doctor immediately if you develop a fever or any of the symptoms associated with Lyme disease. If you feel off, see a doctor to be safe, as ticks can spread many diseases, not only Lyme disease.
Are Tick Bites Deadly?
Tick bites aren’t deadly, but some of the viruses, bacteria, and pathogens spread by ticks through their bites can be. Most of the illnesses spread by tick bites are curable and non-fatal. However, if you don’t seek treatment for the disease, you could get seriously ill or develop a severe fever, which can be fatal.
The ticks in Thailand aren’t more or less dangerous than those in other countries, so your risk of getting one of these diseases is about the same. Still, it is better to come prepared and seek medical attention if you get bitten by a tick.
Should You Use Insect Repellant In Thailand?
Insect repellant is an excellent way to protect yourself from ticks and other insects in Thailand. Due to the tropical climate, mosquitos and other insects are also very common in Thailand, and insect repellant goes a long way to preventing you from getting bit.
You can use insect-repellant spray or insect-repellant soap for a more durable option. These products deter insects and ticks from coming near you or biting you. You can also find Thai insect repellents in local shops, and these often work better than international brands.
