Hastings and Prince Edward Counties/April 1, 2025
As warmer temperatures approach, public health is reminding everyone to take precautions to minimize the risk of contracting vector-borne diseases, such as Lyme disease, when enjoying the outdoors.
Vector-borne diseases can be transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected tick. Warmer temperatures and greater levels of rainfall in our area are causing ticks to be more active throughout the year. Higher tick activity increases the risk of residents being exposed to and infected by ticks with vector-borne illnesses. The southeastern region of Ontario is an established risk area for Lyme disease.
“The risk of encountering black-legged ticks in the southeastern region is very high, compared to the rest of the province,” says Bill Sherlock, Manager of Environmental Health for South East Health Unit (SEHU, formerly Hastings Prince Edward Public Health. “Taking simple precautions to repel ticks, and being sure to check yourself, your kids and your pets for ticks after spending time outdoors will help keep you and your loved ones safe from Lyme disease.”
Individuals can protect themselves and their loved ones from ticks and their related diseases by:
- Using Health Canada approved insect repellent containing DEET or Icariden. Be sure to check the repellent is safe for younger children before applying.
- Wearing permethrin treated clothing as well as light colours, long sleeves and pants, socks, closed footwear, and tuck your pants into your socks.
- After spending time outdoors:
- checking all over your body, including creases and scalp, for ticks.
- showering within 2 hours of returning indoors to remove loosely attached ticks.
- Being mindful that pets may also bring ticks into the home.
- Removing attached ticks safely and as soon as possible using fine-tipped tweezers or a tick removal tool.
If bitten by an infected tick, the risk of Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses begin 24 hours after attachment and feeding, and increases significantly after 48 hours. Common early signs and symptoms of Lyme disease include rash (may be circular or “bull’s eye”), fatigue, muscle pain, headache, fever/chills, stiff neck, and decreased appetite. More serious symptoms can include facial palsy, heart block, meningitis, and arthritis.
If you experience symptoms of Lyme disease after spending time outdoors, please visit your family doctor, a physician, or a pharmacist for assessment and treatment, if necessary. It is important to note that you do not gain natural immunity to Lyme disease and may have it more than once.
For more information on ticks, identifying symptoms of vector-borne diseases, and how to protect yourself and your family, visit https://www.hpepublichealth.ca/ticks-and-lyme-disease/ or TickTOOL.
Please note: ticks are no longer accepted by Public Health but can be identified by Dr. Savage at: etick.ca
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Media contacts
Sara Hart, Communications Specialist
hart.sara@hpeph.ca
Maureen Hyland, Communications Specialist
hyland.maureen@hpeph.ca
The South East Health Unit (formerly Hastings Prince Edward Public Health) is situated and provides services on the traditional territory of the Anishinaabe, Huron-Wendat and Haudenosaunee people.
