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These are the first cases of Lyme disease confirmed in the Thunder Bay region. “We really don‘t know why the deer ticks have carried Lyme disease here, but we do suspect warmer temperatures are a factor,” Darlene Binette, manager of the health unit‘s infectious disease program, said Wednesday. “We are getting reports of more ticks, wood and deer in general, from the public who are collecting them for our program and just seeing more of them in the wild.” The program involves public education and examining ticks that people bring in for analysis. Binette said the health unit encourages anyone who sees a tick to collect it in a clean jar and bring it to the health unit‘s headquarters on Balmoral Street. An entomologist determines if they are wood ticks or deer ticks. Only deer ticks carry Lyme disease, she said. If a specimen is identified as a deer tick, it is sent away for further analysis. Binette said more ticks than in previous years have been brought in. In 2009, 200 submissions were made; this year it‘s at 530. This could be in part to greater vigilance, but Binette noted that people are reporting seeing more ticks. Deer ticks can pass Lyme disease to all warm-blooded creatures, so precautions for pets should be taken, too. The disease is not life-threatening, but it can be debilitating if left untreated. “We try to stress prevention, but there are signs people can look for if they think a deer tick bit them,” she said. “The most telling sign is called the bulls-eye rash, which literally looks like a bulls-eye on a target.” Binette said if someone suspects they‘ve been bitten by a deer tick, they should see a health-care professional immediately. Early treatment is essential to stopping the effects of the disease. “It can be difficult because early symptoms are vague, like headaches, dizziness, tiredness and flu-like symptoms,” Binette said. “That‘s why it‘s critical for people to remember where they‘ve been to properly diagnose Lyme disease and start treatment.” Left untreated, Lyme disease can cause lifelong health problems with the heart, joints and nervous system, she said. To reduce the chance of being bitten by ticks, Binette recommends people stay away from tall grasses, the tick‘s favourite hunting spot. People should wear full-length, light-coloured clothing; spray exposed skin with insect repellent designed for ticks; and tuck socks into pants to prevent ticks from getting under clothing. After being outdoors for long periods, check the skin for signs of a tick. If one is found, use a pair of fine-headed tweezers, grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible and gently pull it straight out. It can take ticks up to 24 hours to feed. Binette understands the concern for tick bites, considering how ticks feed, by burying their heads into a host to feed on their blood. “I grew up in Kenora and watched feeding wood ticks grow from the size of a pinhead to a thumbnail. They are not pleasant,” she said. Top of Page |
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September 2, 2010, 8:22 am |