The first cases of a dangerous tick-borne infection have been recorded in the UK, Public Health England said.
Although there is a low risk to the public a fresh warning to be 'tick aware' has been issued.
Most people are well aware that ticks can carry Lyme disease - which can have prolonged unpleasant side effects.
Now, PHE confirmed one patient had been diagnosed with babesiosis - the first UK acquired case recorded.
Babesiosis is caused by a parasite which infects red blood cells, the Mirror reports.
The second patient is believed to have a case of tick-borne encephalitis (TBE), also a rare infections spread by the bite from an infected tick.
This is the second case of TBE being acquired in the UK.
Both patients have been transferred to hospital, where they are receiving appropriate treatment and supportive care.
PHE said: "The risk of babesiosis or TBE for the general public is very low.
"However, a number of infections can develop following a tick bite, including Lyme disease, and there are things we can all do to reduce our risk of being bitten by ticks while enjoying the outdoors this summer.
"It is important to ‘be tick aware’ and take precautions to reduce your risk of being bitten by ticks when enjoying green spaces this summer."
Dr Katherine Russell, Consultant in the Emerging Infections and Zoonoses team at PHE, added: "It is important to emphasise that cases of babesiosis and TBE in England are rare and the risk of being infected remains very low.
"Lyme disease remains the most common tick-borne infection in England.
"Ticks are most active between spring and autumn, so it is sensible to take some precautions to avoid being bitten when enjoying the outdoors.
"Seek medical advice if you start to feel unwell after a tick bite."
PHE has issued advice on how to reduce your risk of being bitten:
- Keeping to footpaths and avoiding long grass when out walking
- Wearing appropriate clothing such as a long-sleeved shirt, and trousers tucked into your socks makes it less likely that a tick will bite and attach
- Considering the use of repellents containing DEET
- Making it a habit to carry out a tick check regularly when you’re outdoors and when you get home
- If you have been bitten by a tick, it should be removed as soon as possible using fine tipped tweezers or a tick removal tool which is sold by many outdoor stores, vets and pharmacies. Grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible and pull upwards slowly and firmly. Once removed, wash your skin with water and soap, and apply an antiseptic cream to the skin around the bite
- Contact your GP promptly if you begin to feel unwell, remembering to tell them you were bitten by a tick or recently spent time outdoors.
