Grey Bruce Public Health is reminding everyone to stay vigilant during tick season.
The organization is warning about an expanded risk area for the region for blacklegged ticks, which can transmit Lyme disease to people and pets.
“Enjoying the outdoors is tremendously important, and helpful for health,” says Senior Public Health Manager Andrew Barton. “It’s just a case of being aware that the risk does exist, and there are things we can do to reduce that risk.”
Anyone who is going to be outdoors in tall grass and wooded areas can keep themselves safe by:
– Using bug repellent containing DEET or Icaridin
– Wearing light-coloured clothing, to make finding ticks on clothing easier
– Tucking your shirt into pants, pants into socks, and wearing closed-toe shoes
– Walking on clear paths
– Using a sticky lint roller to remove ticks from clothing before getting into the car
– Showering or bathing shortly after being outdoors
– Checking your full body, children, gear, and pets for ticks.
Lyme disease is a relatively rare vector-borne illness, caused by the bacterium B. burgdoferi, which can be carried by blacklegged ticks.
“The good news is that not all blacklegged ticks carry the virus, and they have to have bitten and been [attached] for 24 hours before there’s a risk of the virus being transferred.”
He says that if you find a tick biting you or a family member, the sooner it can be removed, the better.
“So even if you do get bitten, and you see that and remove it within 24 hours, the risk is essentially zero,” says Barton.
The purpose of avoiding a tick bite is to prevent the spread of Lyme disease.
If you have been bitten by a tick, you should remove it immediately, and you can use the Lyme Disease webpage from Health Canada to identify the type of insect found.
After a tick bite, you may notice a bullseye-type rash, and at that point, you should see your healthcare provider.
Not all people will find a bullseye rash, but the symptoms of early Lyme disease include fever, headache, muscle and joint pain, and fatigue. If caught early, it can be treated with antibiotics.
In 2022, there were 1,490 cases of Lyme disease reported throughout Ontario.
