VECTOR

Bite from an infected tick.

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917 CASES IN 2015

Lyme disease is endemic in Canada with 917 reported cases in 2015. The greatest risk occurs where ticks carrying the Lyme disease-causing agent are found. Surveillance in recent years indicates that established populations of black-legged ticks are spreading.

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SYMPTOMS

Red circular, expanding rash (with or without central clearing), fatigue, fever, headache, mild stiff neck, joint pain, muscle pain.

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SEVERE CASE:

Neurologic conditions (meningitis, radiating nerve pain, facial paralysis), cardiac abnormalities (inflammation of the heart muscle with atrioventricular heart block), arthritis.

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As there are no vaccines available, basic precautions should be taken:

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• Avoid tick habitats, such as long grass
• Use a recommend insect repellent containing either Icardin (20%) or DEET
• Minimize areas of exposed skin by wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and closed shoes
• Carry a tick remover or fine tooth tweezers
• Carefully check every day for attached ticks
• If found remove the tick by gently gripping it as close to skin as possible and pulling away steadily without twisting or crushing the tick. Ensure the entire tick – including head and mouthparts – is removed
• Wash your skin with water and soap afterwards and apply an antiseptic cream around the bite.
• If possible, send any ticks that you have removed to a public health laboratory in your area or the National Microbiology laboratory (NML)

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