A recent Facebook post warning residents of ticks on a less-used trail in Lindsay’s Rivera Park underscores the local health department’s annual reminder to monitor for insects that can carry Lyme disease bacteria.
Prevention and early detection are essential, as with the return of better weather, black-legged ticks (deer) are active again and are more common in some parts of the Haliburton Kawartha Pine Ridge health area.
According to the Ontario Lyme Disease Risk Map 2022 at www.publichealthontario.ca, the whole of Northumberland County and southern Cavarta Lakes are now considered high-risk areas for Lyme disease due to the known presence of black-legged tick populations.
“Forest and natural areas are ideal habitats for black-legged ticks, as they like to settle on tall grasses, branches and bushes, and then attach to passing people and animals,” said health care manager Richard Ovcharov.
“Once attached, the tick will feed on the blood of the host. The longer a black-legged tick feeds, the more it fills up and the greater the risk of spreading Lyme disease to a person if the tick is infected with the bacterium that causes Lyme disease.
Lyme disease is a serious disease that, if left untreated, can lead to recurrent arthritis, neurological problems, numbness or paralysis. Lime can be successfully treated with antibiotics, and the earlier this treatment is started, the greater the chance of successful recovery.
“Prevention and early detection should be our priorities when it comes to ticks and avoiding Lyme disease,” Ovcarovic said.
To avoid black-legged ticks:
• Apply DEET insect spray to skin and clothing.
• Wear shoes with closed toes, shirts and long-sleeved pants.
• Pull the socks on the legs of the pants, if possible.
• Stay on marked trails when walking in a natural area.
• To keep ticks away from the property, trim the grass short and trim shrubs and branches to let in sunlight.
If a tick is found, remove it as soon as possible. Many tick removal products are available, so be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions. If you use tweezers with fine tips, hold the tick’s head as close to the skin as possible. Pull it slowly, straight. Immediately afterwards, wash the bite site with soap and water or an alcohol-based disinfectant.
Residents are encouraged to seek medical attention if the black-legged tick has been attached for more than 24 hours or has accumulated; which means he has been eating for some time. See a doctor if you experience symptoms such as skin rash, fever, chills, headache, stiff neck and muscle / joint pain.
The health department no longer accepts black-legged ticks for testing, but residents can use www.etick.ca to identify if the tick is the species that can spread Lyme disease. Private tick testing laboratories are also available.
More prevention tips and resources can be found at www.hkpr.on.ca.
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