Public Health Sudbury & Districts reports human case of Lyme disease
Public Health Sudbury & Districts is reporting that an adult from the Manitoulin district has tested positive for Lyme disease.
While the risk of getting the disease is low, the positive test acts as a reminder to take precautions when heading outside, the health unit said in a news release.
“People enjoying the outdoors need to check for ticks immediately after activities like gardening or hiking," Adam Ranger, an environmental support officer with Public Health, said in the release.
"This is one of the simplest ways you can protect yourself from Lyme disease.”
Blacklegged ticks infected with the bacteria that causes Lyme disease have been found in the Sudbury and Manitoulin districts in past years, however, they are commonly found in rural areas along the north shores of Lake Erie, Lake Ontario, Lake Superior, and the St. Lawrence River, as well as in the Rainy River area of northwestern Ontario.
"Blacklegged ticks do not jump or fly," the release said. "They wait on grass and bushes for animals or humans to brush against the vegetation. Ticks vary in size and colour and can be hard to see until they are full of blood."
Avoiding a tick bite in the first place is best. To prevent tick bites, Public Health recommends:
- Avoid walking in tall grass.
- Make sure yards are kept clear of debris and overgrown vegetation, grass, bushes, and trees.
- Keep wood piles and bird feeders away from homes.
- Wear a long-sleeved, light-coloured shirt, pants, and closed-toe shoes.
- Use insect repellents that are approved by Health Canada and follow the application recommendations on the package.
- Do a tick check.
- Take a shower after outdoor activities to help wash off ticks that have not yet attached themselves to the skin.
If you find a tick attached to a human, use fine-tipped tweezers to grab the tick close to the skin and gently pull straight up. Then wash the area with soap and water.
"Put the tick in a dry container and bring it to your local public health unit to be sent for identification and testing for Lyme disease," the health unit said.
"Follow up with your health care provider to determine if you need treatment, especially if the tick has been attached for more than 24 hours. Lyme disease is treated with antibiotics."
If left untreated, Lyme disease can cause serious complications to the heart, joints, and nervous system.
Signs and symptoms of Lyme disease include a characteristic rash around the area of the bite that looks like a red bull’s eye. Fever, headache, muscle and joint pain is also common, as is fatigue, stiff neck and swollen glands.
For more information on Lyme disease and ticks, call Public Health Sudbury & Districts at 705-522-9200, ext. 464, toll-free 1-866-522-9200 or visit www.phsd.ca.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING King Charles' cancer treatment progressing well, says Buckingham Palace
King Charles III’s doctors are 'sufficiently pleased' with his cancer treatment and he is expected to return to public-facing duties, Buckingham Palace announced on Friday.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
AFN chief says Air Canada offered a 15% discount after her headdress was mishandled
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief complained to Air Canada about how staffers treated her and her ceremonial headdress on a flight this week, she says the airline responded by offering a 15 per cent discount on her next flight.
Regina police officer injured after being accidentally shot by fellow officer's gun
An investigation is underway after a Regina police officer was accidentally shot by a fellow officer’s gun during the search of a house early Friday morning.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
DEVELOPING Bird flu outbreaks: WHO weighs in on public health risk
The current overall public health risk posed by the H5N1 bird flu virus is low, the World Health Organization said on Friday, but urged countries to stay alert for cases of animal-to-human transmission.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
From faulty kids' cribs to flammable kids' bathrobes, here are the recalls of the week
Health Canada issued recalls for various items this week, including kids’ bathrobes, cribs and henna cones.
Island near Mull of Kintyre for sale for US$3.1 million
An idyllic 453-acre private island is up for sale off the west coast of Scotland and it comes with sandy beaches, puffins galore, seven houses, a pub, a helipad and a flock of black-faced sheep.