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<p>Defra has made no formal assessment of the extent of Lyme disease in the United
Kingdom in livestock, domestic or wild animals. However a number of surveillance studies
have shown that the main carriers of the <em>Borrelia</em> organism that causes Lyme
disease in people and dogs are small wild mammals (for example mice and voles) and
ground nesting birds. Other studies have looked at the role of cattle, sheep and deer
as hosts for the intermediate tick host, although these species do not maintain infection
with the organism. No action is taken to reduce the number of infected wild animals.
Action to reduce the number of infected wild animals could only be taken at disproportionate
cost.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Control of the disease in people is focussed on
public awareness of the importance of preventing tick bites. Factsheets on tick bite
risk and prevention are produced by Public Health England and Lyme Disease Action,
with further information for patients published by NHS Choices. Veterinary advice
on the prevention of infection in dogs is widely available through private practitioners
and a vaccine for dogs is now licensed.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p>
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