A recent Facebook post warning residents about the presence of ticks along a less-used road in Rivera Park in Lindsay is highlighting the local health unit’s annual reminder to watch for insects that can carry the bacteria that causes Lyme disease.
Prevention and early detection are essential, as with the return of more pleasant weather, black-legged ticks (deer) are back in action and are more common in some parts of the Haliburton district health unit region. Kawartha Pine Ridge.
According to Public Health Ontario’s 2022 Lyme Disease Risk Map at www.publichealthontario.ca, Northumberland County and the southern part of the city of Kawartha Lakes are now considered high-risk areas for public health. Lyme due to the known presence of populations of black ticks. .
“The wooded and natural areas are ideal places for black-legged ticks to live, as they like to settle in tall grasses, branches and shrubs, and then cling to people and passing animals,” says the official. Richard Ovcharovich.
“Once attached, a tick will feed on the host’s blood. The longer a black-legged tick feeds, the fatter it will be and the greater the risk of transmitting Lyme disease to a person if the tick is infected with the bacterium that causes Lyme disease. ”
Lyme disease is a serious illness that, if left untreated, can lead to recurrent arthritis, neurological problems, numbness, or paralysis. Lyme can be successfully treated with antibiotics, and the sooner you start this treatment, the more likely you are to have a successful recovery.
“Prevention and early detection should be our priorities when it comes to ticks and preventing Lyme disease,” says Ovcharovich.
To avoid black-legged ticks:
• Apply an insect spray containing DEET to the skin and clothing.
• Wear closed shoes, long-sleeved T-shirts and pants.
• Pull the socks over the legs of the pants if possible.
• Keep on signposted trails when walking through a natural area.
• To keep ticks away from the property, mow the grass and cut shrubs and branches to let in sunlight.
If a tick is found, remove it as soon as possible. There are many tick removal products available, so be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions. If you use fine-tipped tweezers, hold the tick’s head as close to the skin as possible. Slowly pull it out. Immediately afterwards, wash the area of the bite with soap and water or an alcohol-based disinfectant.
Residents are advised to seek medical attention if a black-legged tick has been attached for more than 24 hours or is fattened; that is, it has been feeding for a long time. See a doctor if you experience symptoms such as rash, fever, chills, headache, stiff neck, and muscle / joint pain.
The health unit no longer accepts black-legged ticks for testing, but residents can use www.etick.ca to identify if a tick is the type that could spread Lyme disease. Private labs are also available for testing ticks at a service fee.
More prevention tips and resources are available at www.hkpr.on.ca.
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