Rising Tick Threat in Waterloo Region

The tick population is growing in Ontario, raising the chances of coming into contact with the bacteria that leads to Lyme disease.

Region of Waterloo Public Health released a statement on Tuesday, confirming that blacklegged ticks are found in the area and some have tested positive for the Lyme bacteria. Residents are advised to take precautions to safeguard themselves while enjoying outdoor activities.

Dr. Megan Davis, Medical Resident at ROW Public Health, provided some tips,

“Simple ways to help reduce your risk of tick bites are to stay on trails, wear protective clothing, and use insect repellent with DEET or Icaridin,” Davis said.

She also emphasized the need to check yourself, children, and pets after spending time outdoors. The sooner people can remove a tick, the less likely they are to be affected by tick-borne illnesses.

Dr. Davis highlighted that a tick carrying the Lyme bacteria must remain attached to a person for at least 24 hours to pass on Lyme disease.

ROW Public Health has shared some advice for safely removing a tick:

• Use fine-pointed tweezers to grab the tick’s head and mouth as close to your skin as possible.
• Pull slowly. Do not twist or rotate. Try not to damage it.
• Place the tick in a sealed bag or a container with a lid.
• Thoroughly wash the area where you were bitten with soap and water.
• Submit a photo of the tick to e Tick. ca, a free service that will help identify what type of tick it is within 48 hours. Region of Waterloo Public Health does not accept ticks for identification or testing.

If you can’t identify the tick or think it’s a blacklegged tick, reach out to your health care provider-especially if you’re feeling unwell.

It’s crucial to remember that symptoms of Lyme disease can show up anywhere from three days to one month after being exposed.

The region offers plenty of information regarding Lyme disease, safety around ticks, and how to perform a proper tick check.

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