The tick season has started in Ukraine: scientists have found out which blood type attracts them.

Ukrainians have been warned about the start of the 'tick season' and informed which blood type attracts them the most.

According to the Ministry of Health and studies published in the Annals of Agricultural and Environmental Medicine, the period of tick activity has begun in Ukraine. They can be found anywhere – in parks, forests, and even on plots near homes.

Interesting research was conducted by scientists from Masaryk University in the Czech city of Brno. They discovered that ticks have a preference for a certain blood type. The results were published in the Annals of Agricultural and Environmental Medicine.

The experiment used samples of different blood types on filter paper in Petri dishes, where ticks of the Ixodes ricinus species – the most common carrier of Lyme disease in Europe – were placed. After many repetitions, scientists established that ticks particularly attract blood type A (II) and are less interested in blood type B (III).

However, scientists still cannot explain the reasons for such preferences of ticks. It is worth remembering that the real world can influence ticks through various factors such as skin moisture, body temperature, and the amount of carbon dioxide emitted during breathing.

Regardless of blood type, precautions should be taken. The Ministry of Health advises avoiding forest walks and warns of dangers in certain areas.

To protect against ticks, it is recommended to wear light-colored clothing with long sleeves and trousers that tightly fit the body. In the forest, it is better to tuck pants into socks and avoid sitting on the grass in park areas. Special insect repellents can also be used.

It was previously reported that pharmacy prices for nearly 300 medications in Ukraine would be lowered.