If you are enjoying the great outdoors be aware that local blacklegged ticks may transmit Lyme disease. These ticks are most commonly found in wooded areas or areas with tall grasses. Public Health Ontario has posted a map of Estimated Risk Areas for Lyme Disease in Ontario.
You can prevent tick bites, and help prevent the spread of Lyme disease by:
- Applying an approved insect repellent containing DEET or Icaridin and/or wearing permethrin-treated clothing
- Doing a tick check on yourself, your children and pets after playing outdoors
- If a tick is found, removing it promptly
- Consider contacting your primary health care provider – see our Bitten by a Tick? resource for more information.
- Contact us if you have any questions or concerns.
Common signs and symptoms of Lyme disease are a bull’s eye rash (this occurs in approximately 70-80% of cases), fatigue, muscle or joint pain, headache, fever, stiff neck and decreased appetite.
Related Links:
- Bitten by a Tick? – HPEPH
- Lyme Disease Overview – Government of Canada
- Permethrin-treated Clothing – PHAC
