An unprecedented outbreak of fleas and ticks in Britain, posing risks to human and animal health, is being blamed on climate change, the wet summer and tougher strains of pests. Experts also warn the problem is set to worsen as autumn provides ideal conditions for the disease carrying parasites.

The warnings are made in a new report: “Infest-Nation: the ProMeris Parasite Report 2007” from Fort Dodge Animal Health. In it, a survey of environmental health officers shows one in six reporting a 200% rise in cases involving fleas and ticks in their borough in the last five years. One in four said their borough was now issuing warnings on the subject to the general public. More than one third of the nationwide sample of 2000 vets, environmental health officers and cat and dog owners questioned noticed a rise in ticks and fleas in the last five years.

Key findings included:

• Environmental health officers report cases of fleas and ticks have trebled in past five years
• One third of pet owners and vets think the flea and tick situation is worse this year compared to last year
• 40% of vets report an upsurge in cat and dog cases involving fleas and ticks in last 5 years
• Nearly half of pet owners don’t know where to check for fleas or ticks
• 75% of vets blame ignorance, dirty homes and busy lifestyles
• 75% of cat and dog owners don’t treat their animals as frequently as recommended (once a month)
• One quarter of vets think the problem of ticks and fleas is set to worsen
• 50% of vets say fleas and ticks were present in half of their previous 100 cases