As the tick season approaches, the Eastern Ontario Health Unit (EOHU) warns residents that populations of black-legged ticks that can spread Lyme disease to humans are growing in places in the five eastern counties.
The EOHU region has known risk areas where black-footed ticks have been identified and where individuals have the potential to come into contact with infected ticks. Visit www.eohu.ca/lyme to see a map of Ontario’s risk zone.
Lyme disease is a serious disease that can cause the following symptoms, usually within 3 to 30 days after a tick bite:
- Fever
- headache
- Muscle and joint pain
- A stiff neck
- Decreased appetite
- fatigue
- Swollen glands
- Rash (although many people never get or see a rash)
The risk of transmitting Lyme disease from a tick to a person is very low if the tick is attached in less than 24 hours, but this risk is increased if an infected tick is attached for more than 24 hours.
“It’s important to contact your healthcare provider if you think a tick has been attached for more than 24 hours or if you develop flu-like symptoms or an expanding rash in the weeks after a tick bite,” says Dr. Paul Rumeliotis. medical health specialist at EOHU. “If Lyme infection is not recognized and treated, symptoms can last for months to years and include serious health problems affecting the heart, nervous system or joints.”
Most cases of Lyme disease can be successfully treated with antibiotics.
Ticks are most active during the spring and summer months, but can be found at any time of the year when the temperature is above zero, usually in forests, tall grasses and shrubs. There are steps you can take to discourage the presence of ticks around your home and to protect ticks from you, your family and your pets.
For more information on how to protect yourself and your loved ones from ticks and Lyme disease, visit www.eohu.ca/lyme.
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