Poland alerts public to tick bites and oak moth larvae skin irritations

Polish health experts stress that ticks do not drop from trees; they wait on low vegetation such as grass and shrub leaves and latch onto passersby, most often on the legs. The main risk comes from walking through meadows, parks or forests where ticks quest for heat, carbon dioxide and movement. Ticks can transmit serious diseases such as Lyme disease and tick‑borne encephalitis, so protective clothing and prompt removal are recommended.

Forestry officials also warn about the oak moth (korowódka dębówka). While adult moths are harmless, their larvae live in dense groups on oak, beech and other deciduous trees. Each larva can bear up to 60,000 irritating hairs, and contact can cause itching, redness, rash and, if inhaled, respiratory distress that may require hospitalization. Authorities advise removing clothing that may have collected hairs, washing at ≥60 °C, and seeking medical help if severe symptoms appear.