Today is Lyme Awareness Day and with the upcoming summer months, people are being reminded to protect themselves against the disease.
It's spread by a hard bodied tick that latches onto peoples skin and feeds off their blood; if you are infected you may break out in a rash at the affected area.
The ticks can be found all over the country with their populations more prominent in western and southern areas.
Not every tick will carry the disease but preventing the bites is the main way to stop the spread.
Dr. Paul McKeown, Specialist in Public Health Medicine at the HSPC, says covering up exposed skin is the best deterrent.
Speaking to OceanFM News, Dr. McKeown has this advice.
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For more information and to see images of the tick and possible symptoms, visit hspc.ie
