2020 Vector-Borne Infections - Ticks
The community, in fact the entire world, is focused on preventing COVID-19 infections. This has been a tremendous effort by the community to ‘flatten the curve’. As the season progresses, we do need to keep in mind there are other infections spread by black-legged ticks and mosquitos to be mindful of and ensure we protect ourselves and family members. It is worth noting that the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has no data to suggest that this new coronavirus or other similar coronaviruses are spread by mosquitoes or ticks. The main way that COVID-19 spreads is from person to person.
While most mosquitoes are just a nuisance, others can pose a health risk as carriers of West Nile virus. Using an insect repellant containing DEET or icaridin, wearing tightly-woven but loose-fitting, light-coloured clothing, long pants and long sleeves, keeping screens in good repair and removing standing water around the home will help you protect yourself and prevent bites. Mosquitoes breed in standing water so eliminate pooled water in the bottom of tire swings, and drill holes in recycling bins and unused planters. These mosquitos like to live in proximity to human habitat so even on your own property outside in your garden or on a porch remember to protect yourself. Take extra care to use repellent and protective clothing from dusk to dawn or consider avoiding outdoor activities during these times.
If you live adjacent to outdoor areas suitable for ticks, for example, wooded areas or areas with tall grasses, or you visit these areas once permissible from COVID-19 restrictions, you need to be aware of the risk of Lyme disease. As you may have heard through media reports, populations of blacklegged ticks that carry Lyme disease are growing and expanding into new areas. This means that the risk of contracting Lyme disease is on the rise across Canada.
Ottawa is considered an at-risk location for ticks that may carry Lyme disease. Tall grasses, bushy, wooded and forested areas are habitats favoured by ticks. The blacklegged tick that is known to carry the bacterium causing Lyme disease is present in the Ottawa area, across Eastern Ontario, and the Outaouais region of Quebec. OPH is monitoring this issue and providing information to residents and physicians to help prevent and reduce Lyme disease-related health risks in our community. OPH has seen an increase in the number of cases of Lyme disease reported in the Ottawa area over time, as well as an increase in the number of cases of Lyme disease likely acquired in the Ottawa area.
Do your best to stay on cleared paths, but if your trek brings you into long grass or forests, apply insect repellant and tuck your pants into your socks (don’t worry - it can be very fashionable these days). Most importantly, perform a “full body” check on
yourself, your children and your pets for ticks. Pay careful attention around toes, knees,groin, armpits and scalp. If you do find a tick on your skin, carefully remove it following instructions available at ottawapublichealth.ca/lyme.
Situations when you should immediately contact your family physician include: flu-like symptoms following a mosquito or tick bite; a bull’s eye type rash after a tick bite; and when a tick has been attached for 24 hours or more, a tick looks partially or fully
engorged, or if you are unsure the length of time the tick has been attached. While there are no antiviral treatments available for COVID-19 or WNV, fortunately Lyme disease is treatable with antibiotics; however, prevention is the best approach with
these, as with all, infectious diseases.
For more info on West Nile virus and Lyme disease, visit ottawapublichealth.ca/westnilevirus or ottawapublichealth.ca/lyme.
____________________________________________________
Infections à transmission vectorielle en 2020 — Tiques
Toute l’attention de la collectivité, et même du monde entier, est tournée vers la prévention des cas d’infection par COVID-19. La population a déployé des efforts considérables pour « aplanir la courbe ». Au fil de la saison, nous devons garder à l’esprit qu’il existe d’autres infections, celles transmises par les tiques à pattes noires et les moustiques, dont nous devons nous préoccuper et protéger notre famille et nous-mêmes. Il convient de mentionner que les Centres pour le contrôle et la prévention des maladies des États-Unis ne disposent d’aucune donnée indiquant que ce nouveau coronavirus, ou d’autres coronavirus de types similaires sont propagés par les moustiques ou les tiques. Le principal mode de transmission de la COVID-19 est d’une personne à une autre.
Bien que la plupart des moustiques ne causent qu’une nuisance, certains peuvent poser un risque pour la santé s’ils sont porteurs du virus du Nil occidental. Pour prévenir les piqûres et vous protéger, appliquez un insectifuge contenant du DEET ou de l’icaridine, portez des vêtements tissés serré, amples et de couleur claire, un pantalon et un chandail à manches longues, gardez les moustiquaires en bon état et éliminez l’eau stagnante autour de votre maison, car c’est là que les moustiques se reproduisent. Videz les pneus servant de balançoire et percez des trous dans les bacs de recyclage et les jardinières inutilisées. Ces moustiques aiment vivre à proximité des humains; par conséquent, n’oubliez pas de vous protéger, même lorsque vous vous trouvez sur votre propriété, dans votre jardin ou sous le porche. Si vous devez sortir à l’aube ou au crépuscule, veillez à utiliser un insectifuge et des vêtements de protection; sinon, envisagez de rester à l’intérieur durant ces périodes.
Si vous vivez près de lieux propices à la présence de tiques, comme les zones boisées ou des étendues de hautes herbes, ou si vous vous promenez dans de tels lieux, lorsque les restrictions liées à la COVID-19 seront levées, vous devez être conscient du risque de contracter la maladie de Lyme. Comme vous l’avez probablement entendu dans des reportages, les populations de tiques à pattes noires porteuses de la maladie de Lyme augmentent et leur territoire s’étend, de sorte que le risque de contracter la maladie s’accroît au pays.
Ottawa est considérée comme une zone à risque pour la maladie de Lyme. Les hautes herbes, les buissons, les boisés et les forêts sont des habitats de choix pour les tiques. La tique à pattes noires porteuse de la bactérie causant la maladie de Lyme est présente dans la région d’Ottawa, dans l’Est de l’Ontario et dans la région de l’Outaouais, au Québec. Santé publique Ottawa (SPO) surveille ce problème et informe les résidents et les médecins afin de prévenir et de réduire les risques pour la santé liés à cette maladie dans notre ville. D’ailleurs, SPO a constaté une augmentation du nombre de cas signalés dans la région d’Ottawa au cours des dernières années, ainsi que du nombre probable d’infections contractées dans la région.
Restez autant que possible sur les sentiers dégagés, mais si votre randonnée vous amène dans les herbes hautes ou dans la forêt, mettez de l’insectifuge et rentrez le bas de vos pantalons dans vos chaussettes (ne vous inquiétez pas, c’est très à la mode ces temps-ci!). Le plus important est d’inspecter toute la surface de votre peau ainsi que celle des enfants et des animaux de compagnie pour vérifier s’il y a des tiques. Portez une attention particulière aux orteils, aux genoux, à l’aine, aux aisselles et au cuir chevelu. Si vous trouvez une tique sur votre peau, retirez-la prudemment en suivant les consignes qui se trouvent sur le site santepubliqueottawa.ca/maladiedelyme.
Dans certains cas, communiquez immédiatement avec votre médecin de famille, par exemple si vous avez des symptômes s’apparentant à ceux de la grippe après vous être fait piquer par un moustique ou une tique, s’il apparaît une éruption à l’aspect d’une cible à la suite d’une piqûre de tique, si vous croyez qu’une tique est restée accrochée à la peau pendant 24 heures ou plus, ou encore si vous ne savez pas combien de temps une tique est restée accrochée et qu’elle est partiellement gonflée. Il n’existe aucun traitement antiviral contre la COVID-19 ou le virus du Nil occidental, mais heureusement, la maladie de Lyme peut être traitée au moyen d’antibiotiques. Cependant, la prévention est la meilleure stratégie à adopter, et ce, contre toutes les maladies infectieuses.
Pour en savoir plus sur le virus du Nil occidental et la maladie de Lyme, consultez les sites santepubliqueottawa.ca/virusduniloccidental et santepubliqueottawa.ca/maladiedelyme.
The community, in fact the entire world, is focused on preventing COVID-19 infections. This has been a tremendous effort by the community to ‘flatten the curve’. As the season progresses, we do need to keep in mind there are other infections spread by black-legged ticks and mosquitos to be mindful of and ensure we protect ourselves and family members. It is worth noting that the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has no data to suggest that this new coronavirus or other similar coronaviruses are spread by mosquitoes or ticks. The main way that COVID-19 spreads is from person to person.
While most mosquitoes are just a nuisance, others can pose a health risk as carriers of West Nile virus. Using an insect repellant containing DEET or icaridin, wearing tightly-woven but loose-fitting, light-coloured clothing, long pants and long sleeves, keeping screens in good repair and removing standing water around the home will help you protect yourself and prevent bites. Mosquitoes breed in standing water so eliminate pooled water in the bottom of tire swings, and drill holes in recycling bins and unused planters. These mosquitos like to live in proximity to human habitat so even on your own property outside in your garden or on a porch remember to protect yourself. Take extra care to use repellent and protective clothing from dusk to dawn or consider avoiding outdoor activities during these times.
If you live adjacent to outdoor areas suitable for ticks, for example, wooded areas or areas with tall grasses, or you visit these areas once permissible from COVID-19 restrictions, you need to be aware of the risk of Lyme disease. As you may have heard through media reports, populations of blacklegged ticks that carry Lyme disease are growing and expanding into new areas. This means that the risk of contracting Lyme disease is on the rise across Canada.
Ottawa is considered an at-risk location for ticks that may carry Lyme disease. Tall grasses, bushy, wooded and forested areas are habitats favoured by ticks. The blacklegged tick that is known to carry the bacterium causing Lyme disease is present in the Ottawa area, across Eastern Ontario, and the Outaouais region of Quebec. OPH is monitoring this issue and providing information to residents and physicians to help prevent and reduce Lyme disease-related health risks in our community. OPH has seen an increase in the number of cases of Lyme disease reported in the Ottawa area over time, as well as an increase in the number of cases of Lyme disease likely acquired in the Ottawa area.
Do your best to stay on cleared paths, but if your trek brings you into long grass or forests, apply insect repellant and tuck your pants into your socks (don’t worry - it can be very fashionable these days). Most importantly, perform a “full body” check on
yourself, your children and your pets for ticks. Pay careful attention around toes, knees,groin, armpits and scalp. If you do find a tick on your skin, carefully remove it following instructions available at ottawapublichealth.ca/lyme.
Situations when you should immediately contact your family physician include: flu-like symptoms following a mosquito or tick bite; a bull’s eye type rash after a tick bite; and when a tick has been attached for 24 hours or more, a tick looks partially or fully
engorged, or if you are unsure the length of time the tick has been attached. While there are no antiviral treatments available for COVID-19 or WNV, fortunately Lyme disease is treatable with antibiotics; however, prevention is the best approach with
these, as with all, infectious diseases.
For more info on West Nile virus and Lyme disease, visit ottawapublichealth.ca/westnilevirus or ottawapublichealth.ca/lyme.
____________________________________________________
Infections à transmission vectorielle en 2020 — Tiques
Toute l’attention de la collectivité, et même du monde entier, est tournée vers la prévention des cas d’infection par COVID-19. La population a déployé des efforts considérables pour « aplanir la courbe ». Au fil de la saison, nous devons garder à l’esprit qu’il existe d’autres infections, celles transmises par les tiques à pattes noires et les moustiques, dont nous devons nous préoccuper et protéger notre famille et nous-mêmes. Il convient de mentionner que les Centres pour le contrôle et la prévention des maladies des États-Unis ne disposent d’aucune donnée indiquant que ce nouveau coronavirus, ou d’autres coronavirus de types similaires sont propagés par les moustiques ou les tiques. Le principal mode de transmission de la COVID-19 est d’une personne à une autre.
Bien que la plupart des moustiques ne causent qu’une nuisance, certains peuvent poser un risque pour la santé s’ils sont porteurs du virus du Nil occidental. Pour prévenir les piqûres et vous protéger, appliquez un insectifuge contenant du DEET ou de l’icaridine, portez des vêtements tissés serré, amples et de couleur claire, un pantalon et un chandail à manches longues, gardez les moustiquaires en bon état et éliminez l’eau stagnante autour de votre maison, car c’est là que les moustiques se reproduisent. Videz les pneus servant de balançoire et percez des trous dans les bacs de recyclage et les jardinières inutilisées. Ces moustiques aiment vivre à proximité des humains; par conséquent, n’oubliez pas de vous protéger, même lorsque vous vous trouvez sur votre propriété, dans votre jardin ou sous le porche. Si vous devez sortir à l’aube ou au crépuscule, veillez à utiliser un insectifuge et des vêtements de protection; sinon, envisagez de rester à l’intérieur durant ces périodes.
Si vous vivez près de lieux propices à la présence de tiques, comme les zones boisées ou des étendues de hautes herbes, ou si vous vous promenez dans de tels lieux, lorsque les restrictions liées à la COVID-19 seront levées, vous devez être conscient du risque de contracter la maladie de Lyme. Comme vous l’avez probablement entendu dans des reportages, les populations de tiques à pattes noires porteuses de la maladie de Lyme augmentent et leur territoire s’étend, de sorte que le risque de contracter la maladie s’accroît au pays.
Ottawa est considérée comme une zone à risque pour la maladie de Lyme. Les hautes herbes, les buissons, les boisés et les forêts sont des habitats de choix pour les tiques. La tique à pattes noires porteuse de la bactérie causant la maladie de Lyme est présente dans la région d’Ottawa, dans l’Est de l’Ontario et dans la région de l’Outaouais, au Québec. Santé publique Ottawa (SPO) surveille ce problème et informe les résidents et les médecins afin de prévenir et de réduire les risques pour la santé liés à cette maladie dans notre ville. D’ailleurs, SPO a constaté une augmentation du nombre de cas signalés dans la région d’Ottawa au cours des dernières années, ainsi que du nombre probable d’infections contractées dans la région.
Restez autant que possible sur les sentiers dégagés, mais si votre randonnée vous amène dans les herbes hautes ou dans la forêt, mettez de l’insectifuge et rentrez le bas de vos pantalons dans vos chaussettes (ne vous inquiétez pas, c’est très à la mode ces temps-ci!). Le plus important est d’inspecter toute la surface de votre peau ainsi que celle des enfants et des animaux de compagnie pour vérifier s’il y a des tiques. Portez une attention particulière aux orteils, aux genoux, à l’aine, aux aisselles et au cuir chevelu. Si vous trouvez une tique sur votre peau, retirez-la prudemment en suivant les consignes qui se trouvent sur le site santepubliqueottawa.ca/maladiedelyme.
Dans certains cas, communiquez immédiatement avec votre médecin de famille, par exemple si vous avez des symptômes s’apparentant à ceux de la grippe après vous être fait piquer par un moustique ou une tique, s’il apparaît une éruption à l’aspect d’une cible à la suite d’une piqûre de tique, si vous croyez qu’une tique est restée accrochée à la peau pendant 24 heures ou plus, ou encore si vous ne savez pas combien de temps une tique est restée accrochée et qu’elle est partiellement gonflée. Il n’existe aucun traitement antiviral contre la COVID-19 ou le virus du Nil occidental, mais heureusement, la maladie de Lyme peut être traitée au moyen d’antibiotiques. Cependant, la prévention est la meilleure stratégie à adopter, et ce, contre toutes les maladies infectieuses.
Pour en savoir plus sur le virus du Nil occidental et la maladie de Lyme, consultez les sites santepubliqueottawa.ca/virusduniloccidental et santepubliqueottawa.ca/maladiedelyme.
Ticks & Lyme Disease
There are many health benefits from being active and enjoying the outdoors; however, if you are in outdoor areas suitable for ticks, for example, wooded areas or areas with tall grasses, you need to be aware of the risk of Lyme disease. To help prevent Lyme disease, Ottawa Public Health monitors ticks and human illness trends and increases awareness of Ottawa residents of the risks posed by ticks and educates on how to prevent Lyme disease. Preventing tick bites is key to the prevention of Lyme disease, you can do this by:
What is Lyme Disease?
Lyme disease is an important health concern in many parts of Canada and is spread by the bite of blacklegged ticks infected with the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi. Most people are infected with Lyme disease through the bite of an immature tick called a nymph.
Nymphs are tiny (less than 2 mm, about the size of a poppy seed) and difficult to see. Nymphs feed during the spring and summer months. Adult ticks are much larger and are more likely to be discovered and removed before they have had time to transmit the bacteria. Adult blacklegged ticks are most active during spring and again in late summer and fall.
The blacklegged tick that carries the bacteria that can cause Lyme disease is present in the Ottawa area, across Eastern Ontario, and the Outaouais region of Quebec.
Ottawa Public Health has seen an increase in the number of cases of Lyme disease reported in the Ottawa area over time, as well as an increase in the number of cases of Lyme disease likely acquired in the Ottawa area. This is most likely a result of growing Lyme disease awareness and increase in tick populations in Eastern Ontario.
Ottawa Public Health is committed to reducing the health risks to residents posed by Lyme disease through prevention, education and awareness, as well as surveillance. Preventing tick bites is key to the prevention of Lyme disease.
Prevention
Populations of blacklegged ticks are growing and expanding into new areas. This means that the risk of contracting Lyme disease is on the rise across Canada. Though ticks can be found almost anywhere outdoors, they are often found in tall grasses, bushes wooded and forested areas.
Ottawa Public Health recommends practicing these simple steps to help minimize exposure to ticks, and help you enjoy the outdoors safely:
Blacklegged ticks are very small and not easy to see, nymphs are the size of poppy seeds and adults are the size of sesame seeds, which is why you should perform a full body check on yourself, your children and your pets after being outdoors. The sooner ticks are removed from the body the less likely they are to spread Lyme disease.
How Can I Reduce the Number of Blacklegged Ticks Around My Home?
You can't get rid of ticks completely, but you can reduce the number of ticks present in your yard. Here are some tips to help make your environment less favourable to ticks by:
What if I Find a Tick?
If you find a tick on your body, remove it as soon as possible. The risk of getting Lyme disease increases with the length of time the tick remains attached.Since Ottawa is considered an at-risk area for Lyme disease, it is important to contact your doctor if you believe a tick has been attached to you for 24 or more hours, or if you are unsure how long the tick has been attached to you, so that your doctor can determine if you need treatment with antibiotics. Treatment with antibiotics would be considered when:
Your doctor will advise you about what should be done straight away. Immediate actions include watching for symptoms of Lyme disease for the next 30 days and, if appropriate, taking a single dose of antibiotics prophylactically.
If the tick was attached for less than 24 hours and its body does not appear swollen from feeding or if you removed a tick and more than 72 hours have passed, you should still be on the lookout for signs and symptoms of Lyme disease for the next 30 days. If you do develop symptoms, consult your health care provider.
Removing Ticks
Signs & Symptoms
Early and accurate diagnosis and treatment of Lyme disease is key to avoid more serious illness and the potential for long-term complications. Long-term complications can involve muscle and joint pain, irregular heartbeat, and nervous system disorders (involving the brain, nerves and spinal cord).
Symptoms usually begin within three days to one month after being bitten by an infected tick. Symptoms can include:
If you develop symptoms of Lyme disease, consult your health care provider.
Steps to Reduce Your Pet's Exposure to Ticks
If your pet spends lots of time outdoors, a tick check should be part of your daily routine. While dogs and cats cannot directly transmit Lyme disease to people, a tick may enter your home on your pet's back and move on to bite a human.To help reduce the chances of your pet carrying a tick that may transmit Lyme disease:
Monitoring Lyme Disease in Ottawa
Ottawa Public Health staff regularly conducts tick dragging to monitor tick populations and to test for Lyme disease. Cases of Lyme disease in humans are reported to OPH and monitored. The number of cases of Lyme disease in humans reported in Ottawa has increased over time.
Is There a Lyme Disease Vaccine
Unfortunately, a Lyme disease vaccine is not available in Canada.
For more information:
- Applying an approved insect repellent containing DEET or icaridin
- Doing a tick check on yourself, your children, and pets
- Checking your pet daily for ticks, especially if it spends time in wooded or overgrown areas
- Removing ticks as soon as possible. If you find a tick on your body, using fine-pointed tweezers, grasp the tick's head as close to the skin as possible and pull slowly until the tick is removed. Do not twist or rotate the tick. Do not use a match, lotion or anything else on the tick.
What is Lyme Disease?
Lyme disease is an important health concern in many parts of Canada and is spread by the bite of blacklegged ticks infected with the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi. Most people are infected with Lyme disease through the bite of an immature tick called a nymph.
Nymphs are tiny (less than 2 mm, about the size of a poppy seed) and difficult to see. Nymphs feed during the spring and summer months. Adult ticks are much larger and are more likely to be discovered and removed before they have had time to transmit the bacteria. Adult blacklegged ticks are most active during spring and again in late summer and fall.
The blacklegged tick that carries the bacteria that can cause Lyme disease is present in the Ottawa area, across Eastern Ontario, and the Outaouais region of Quebec.
Ottawa Public Health has seen an increase in the number of cases of Lyme disease reported in the Ottawa area over time, as well as an increase in the number of cases of Lyme disease likely acquired in the Ottawa area. This is most likely a result of growing Lyme disease awareness and increase in tick populations in Eastern Ontario.
Ottawa Public Health is committed to reducing the health risks to residents posed by Lyme disease through prevention, education and awareness, as well as surveillance. Preventing tick bites is key to the prevention of Lyme disease.
Prevention
Populations of blacklegged ticks are growing and expanding into new areas. This means that the risk of contracting Lyme disease is on the rise across Canada. Though ticks can be found almost anywhere outdoors, they are often found in tall grasses, bushes wooded and forested areas.
Ottawa Public Health recommends practicing these simple steps to help minimize exposure to ticks, and help you enjoy the outdoors safely:
- Apply a Health Canada approved insect repellent containing DEET or icaridin to exposed skin and clothing
- Wear long pants, a long sleeved shirt, shoes and socks to cover exposed skin
- Tuck your pants into your socks
- Wear light coloured clothing to spot ticks easier
- If possible, stay on the trails when hiking in the woods or walking in long grass
- Do a "full body" check on yourself, your children, and pets for ticks. Pay careful attention around your toes, knees, groin, armpits and scalp.
Blacklegged ticks are very small and not easy to see, nymphs are the size of poppy seeds and adults are the size of sesame seeds, which is why you should perform a full body check on yourself, your children and your pets after being outdoors. The sooner ticks are removed from the body the less likely they are to spread Lyme disease.
How Can I Reduce the Number of Blacklegged Ticks Around My Home?
You can't get rid of ticks completely, but you can reduce the number of ticks present in your yard. Here are some tips to help make your environment less favourable to ticks by:
- Keeping the grass in your yard mowed
- Removing brush and fallen leaves from the edges of your property, especially if your yard is bordered by woods or fields of tall grass
- Cleaning up areas under and around bird feeders to reduce the attraction of small critters such as mice and voles that carry ticks
- Discouraging deer from entering your yard, as ticks also feed on these animals
- Keeping your woodpile neat, dry, off the ground, and away from your house
What if I Find a Tick?
If you find a tick on your body, remove it as soon as possible. The risk of getting Lyme disease increases with the length of time the tick remains attached.Since Ottawa is considered an at-risk area for Lyme disease, it is important to contact your doctor if you believe a tick has been attached to you for 24 or more hours, or if you are unsure how long the tick has been attached to you, so that your doctor can determine if you need treatment with antibiotics. Treatment with antibiotics would be considered when:
- the tick has been attached for 24 or more hours or is fully or partially engorged and
- it has been less than or equal to 72 hours since the tick has been removed.
Your doctor will advise you about what should be done straight away. Immediate actions include watching for symptoms of Lyme disease for the next 30 days and, if appropriate, taking a single dose of antibiotics prophylactically.
If the tick was attached for less than 24 hours and its body does not appear swollen from feeding or if you removed a tick and more than 72 hours have passed, you should still be on the lookout for signs and symptoms of Lyme disease for the next 30 days. If you do develop symptoms, consult your health care provider.
Removing Ticks
- Use fine-pointed tweezers.
- Grasp the tick's head as close to the skin as possible and pull slowly until the tick is removed.
- Do not twist or rotate the tick. Do not use a match, lotion or anything else on the tick.
- Wash the bite site with soap and water.
- If you are going to see your physician and want to bring the tick with you, place the tick in an empty pill vial or zip-lock bag with a moistened paper towel.
- You can dispose of a live tick by flushing it down the toilet, or placing it in a sealed bag/container and disposing it with your household garbage.
Signs & Symptoms
Early and accurate diagnosis and treatment of Lyme disease is key to avoid more serious illness and the potential for long-term complications. Long-term complications can involve muscle and joint pain, irregular heartbeat, and nervous system disorders (involving the brain, nerves and spinal cord).
Symptoms usually begin within three days to one month after being bitten by an infected tick. Symptoms can include:
- Circular, red rash (may look like a 'bull's-eye', but the appearance of the rash may vary), which slowly expands around the tick bite area. In 2 or 3 out of 10 people no rash is found.
- Fatigue (tiredness)
- Fever or chills
- Headache
- Muscle and joint aches
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Numbness or tingling
- Spasms or weakness
If you develop symptoms of Lyme disease, consult your health care provider.
Steps to Reduce Your Pet's Exposure to Ticks
If your pet spends lots of time outdoors, a tick check should be part of your daily routine. While dogs and cats cannot directly transmit Lyme disease to people, a tick may enter your home on your pet's back and move on to bite a human.To help reduce the chances of your pet carrying a tick that may transmit Lyme disease:
- Talk to your veterinarian about ways to protect your pet from ticks. There are many topical products that can help repel or kill ticks, and for dogs there is a vaccine.
- Check your pet daily for ticks, especially if it spends time in wooded or overgrown areas
- Remove any ticks right away and dispose
- Use fine-pointed tweezers.
- Grasp the tick's head as close to the skin as possible and pull slowly until the tick is removed. Do not twist or rotate the tick. Do not use a match, lotion or anything else on the tick.
- Wash the bite site with soap and water.
- Dispose of a live tick by flushing it down the toilet, or placing it in a sealed bag/container and disposing it with your household garbage.
- When your pet is examined by a veterinarian, ask for a thorough tick check.
Monitoring Lyme Disease in Ottawa
Ottawa Public Health staff regularly conducts tick dragging to monitor tick populations and to test for Lyme disease. Cases of Lyme disease in humans are reported to OPH and monitored. The number of cases of Lyme disease in humans reported in Ottawa has increased over time.
Is There a Lyme Disease Vaccine
Unfortunately, a Lyme disease vaccine is not available in Canada.
For more information: