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Lyme Disease Health: Fight the Bite

What is Lyme disease?

Lyme disease is an illness caused by the Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria that is spread through the bite of an infected blacklegged tick (deer tick). Lyme disease does not spread from human to human.

What are the symptoms?

A circular rash referred to as a “bull’s-eye” rash could be one of the earliest symptoms of an infection. If you develop a “bull’s-eye” rash, fever, chills or extreme fatigue or feel like you have the flu, see your health care provider. Be sure to tell them if you have been camping, fishing or have been active outdoors. If left untreated, it could lead to more serious symptoms affecting the central nervous system, brain or even the heart.

Treating Lyme disease

Lyme disease can be treated with several antibiotics. Getting treatment in the early stages of the disease is critical for full recovery. Lyme disease can develop into chronic illness that can be difficult to treat if it is not recognized in the early stages.

What are ticks?

Ticks are small bugs, the size of a sesame seed, which feed on the blood of animals and humans. They can be found on tall grasses and bushes and can attach themselves to people or animals. Ticks do not fly and move quite slowly. Most tick bites are painless. Ticks feed slowly and will attach themselves for 24 to 72 hours. They are most likely to spread infection after being attached for 24 hours or more. Not all ticks are infected with the Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria therefore, not all tick bites will spread Lyme disease.

Where infected ticks are found in Ontario

In Ontario, blacklegged ticks are more commonly found in areas along the north shores of Lake Erie, Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River. Locations with established blacklegged tick populations infected with the Lyme disease agent, include: Long Point Provincial Park, Turkey Point Provincial Park, Rondeau Provincial Park, Point Pelee National Park, Prince Edward Point National Wildlife

Area, Wainfleet Bog Conservation Area and in the St. Lawrence Islands National Park area.

While the risk is low, it is possible to be infected with Lyme disease from the bite of an infected blacklegged tick, almost anywhere in Ontario.

Protect yourself and your family

It is important to protect yourself each time you are in an area where infected ticks have been found. When traveling to areas with infected ticks, follow these simple tips to protect yourself:

Wear long pants and long sleeved tops that are light coloured to help spot ticks
Wear closed footwear and tuck your pants into your socks
Use an insect repellent containing “DEET” and apply according to manufacturer’s directions
Search your body for ticks
Pay special attention to the groin, scalp, underarm areas and back
Remove attached ticks from your body as quickly as possible

Removing a tick

Remove it by grasping the tick with a set of tweezers as close to the skin and pull it straight out, gently but firmly
Do not squeeze the tick as this may cause the infection to be introduced into your body
Do not put anything on the tick or try to burn it off
Disinfect the infected area with rubbing alcohol
Place the tick in a moistened paper towel and place in a screw top container such as a plastic pill bottle
Store the container in a refrigerator or freezer until the tick can be submitted to your local health unit for testing
Call York Region Health Connection at 1-800-361-5653

For more information about Lyme Disease or submitting a tick for identification, call York Region Health Connection at 1-800-361-5653, TTY 1-866-252-9933 or visit www.york.ca