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Sarnia, ON – The arrival of warm weather means ticks are active in Lambton County and residents need to take precautions to avoid tick bites.
Ticks are tiny, slow-moving bugs, about the size of a sesame seed. They live in wooded areas and fields, and when a person or animal brushes past plants, bushes, and tall grass, the tick attaches itself. Once attached, ticks feed on blood; however, most people will not feel the bite.
"Most tick bites do not result in disease, but some do," said Lori Lucas, Interim Supervisor at the County of Lambton Community Health Services Department. "One concern is Lyme disease. It is a bacterial infection transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected blacklegged tick (deer tick). While Lyme disease can cause health concerns, there is only a small chance of getting the disease, even if bitten by an infected tick."
In Lambton County, the American dog tick is the most identified tick. It is not an efficient transmitter of Lyme disease. The blacklegged tick is found randomly throughout Ontario.
The most common symptom of Lyme disease is a red, bull’s-eye rash that appears at the site of the tick bite within 3 to 30 days. Flu-like symptoms may also occur during the early stages of the disease. Later stages of Lyme disease can involve arthritic, cardiac and neurological complications. If detected early, Lyme disease can be easily treated with antibiotics. Lyme disease does not spread from person-to-person.
Anyone who develops these symptoms after being bitten by a tick should see their doctor.
For protection against tick bites:
- Be aware of tick habitat – tall grass, bushes and wooded areas. Stick to trails and avoid direct contact with plant growth.
- Wear long pants, long-sleeved shirt, socks, closed-toed shoes and a hat. Tuck shirt in pants and pants in socks. Light colours make ticks easier to spot.
- Apply an insect repellent containing DEET to clothing or skin. Follow label instructions.
- Use a tick and flea collar for pets; check pets periodically. Pets can bring ticks inside.
- After an outing, wash your clothes, have a shower and wash your hair. Do a "tick check" on yourself, your family and pets. Pay extra attention to scalp, groin and armpits.
If you find a tick, use tweezers to grasp the tick’s head as close to the skin as possible and pull straight out using steady pressure. DO NOT twist, squeeze or burn the tick. Only ticks found on humans, or human-related cases, can be submitted to the Community Health Services Department for identification.
For more information on ticks or Lyme disease call Community Health Services at 519 383-8331, toll free 1-800-667-1839 or visit www.lambtonhealth.on.ca.
For more information about Lambton County, visit www.lambtononline.ca.
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Contact:
Lori Lucas
(I) Supervisor
County of Lambton
Telephone: 519 383-8331 ext. 3574
email: lori.lucas@county-lambton.on.ca
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