A new map released by the BC Center for Disease Control lists the Castlegar and Trail areas as Lyme disease risk areas.
Lyme disease is caused by a bacterium spread by ticks, small insects that feed on the blood of animals and humans.
Although the map identifies many populated areas of the province as at risk for Lyme disease, the overall risk in the province remains low with less than 0.5 cases per 100,000 people and an infection rate. for ticks less than one percent.
Lyme disease is transmitted by Ixodes pacificus and Ixodes angustus, also known as western black-legged ticks. But most ticks in the region are wood ticks (Dermacentor andersoni) that do not carry the Lyme disease bacterium. However, wood ticks can carry other diseases such as spotted fever in the Rocky Mountains, although this is rare.
The BCCDC has launched a campaign asking for public help in identifying ticks with the aim of limiting Lyme disease. They have partnered with eTick, a free app that allows users to upload photos of ticks so that researchers can track where the black-legged ticks are.
RELATED: BCCDC needs your help to identify ticks and limit Lyme disease
Lyme disease can be prevented by avoiding tick bites.
“There are easy things you can do to protect yourself from ticks, such as covering yourself before going outside and checking for ticks when you return from a walk, hike, or bike ride.” , said Dr. Fatemeh Sabet, Interior Health Medical Officer. “Most tick bites do not cause disease; However, any bite from a tick must be cleaned so that the infection can occur as long as there is a rupture in the skin. “
Anyone who has a bull’s eye target rash after a tick bite or any other compatible symptoms of Lyme disease should see their doctor.
You can find more information on how to identify ticks and what to do at bccdc.ca.
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Lyme disease