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Lyme Disease and Other Tick-Borne Diseases

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The risk of human tick-borne infections is increasing in Halton region. Climate change, particularly increasing temperatures, creates more tick-friendly environments and longer seasons where ticks are active. The primary tick species of concern are the blacklegged ticks (also known as deer ticks) and Lyme disease remains the most common tick-borne disease in Halton.

What is Lyme disease?

Lyme disease is a bacterial infection spread by the bite of an infected blacklegged tick.

Do all ticks carry Lyme disease?

In Ontario, the only ticks known to carry Lyme disease are blacklegged ticks. Not all blacklegged ticks carry the bacteria that causes Lyme disease, and not everyone who is bitten by an infected tick will develop signs and symptoms of Lyme disease. If a tick is attached to your skin for less than 24 hours, your chance of getting Lyme disease is extremely low.

Watch: Enjoy the outdoors, without a tick (YouTube video)

Can Lyme disease affect my pet?

Yes, just like humans, Lyme disease can affect pets. Check your pet for ticks after being outdoors and if you are concerned contact a veterinarian.

Where is there a risk for ticks/Lyme disease in Halton?

Halton Region staff members perform tick dragging in the spring and fall. This is a method of collecting ticks for the purpose of identifying risk areas where past tick surveillance indicated the potential presence of blacklegged ticks. Based on this surveillance, all of Halton is considered a risk area for Lyme disease (external PDF). The risk of contracting Lyme disease in Halton is considered to be low but has been increasing. It is important to practice proper tick prevention in Halton where ticks are more likely to be present (wooded, tall grass or brushy areas).

What are the symptoms of Lyme disease?

Symptoms of Lyme disease can be different for each person and usually begin within three days to one month after being bitten by an infected tick.

Common signs and symptoms of Lyme disease can include any of the following:
  • circular, red rash (often, but not always, looks like a ‘bull’s-eye’), which slowly expands around the tick bite area
  • extreme fatigue (tiredness) and weakness
  • headache and neck stiffness
  • fever or chills
  • swollen lymph nodes
  • spasms, numbness or tingling
Additional symptoms can include:
  • mental confusion
  • central and peripheral nervous system disorders (involving the brain, nerves and spinal cord)
  • arthritis and arthritic symptoms (muscle and joint aches, joint swelling)
  • heart palpitations or abnormal heartbeat
  • dizziness
  • conjunctivitis
Symptoms of Post-treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome can include:
  • fatigue (tiredness)
  • joint and muscle aches
  • sleep disturbance
  • cognitive dysfunction

Lyme disease may have long-term effect on the joints, nervous system and heart if left untreated or treated improperly.

Some people may experience symptoms that last months to years after treatment. Although sometimes called "chronic Lyme disease," this condition is known as "Post-treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome".

If you were bitten by a tick or experience symptoms consistent with Lyme disease or other tick-borne diseases, contact your doctor or health care provider immediately.

Other Tick-Borne Diseases

Blacklegged ticks can transmit other diseases such as anaplasmosis, babesiosis, Powassan virus and Borrelia miyamotoi, however the risk of contracting these diseases remains low in Halton Region.

Anaplasmosis
  • Anaplasmosis is a disease caused by a bacteria that is spread to people by tick bites from infected blacklegged ticks.
  • People with anaplasmosis will often have fever, headache, chills and muscle aches.
Babesiosis
  • Babesiosis is a disease caused by a parasite that infects red blood cells and are spread by infected blacklegged ticks.
  • Many people who are infected with Babesia do not have symptoms; for those who do, effective treatment is available.
  • Some people develop flu-like symptoms, such as fever, chills, sweats, headache, body aches, loss of appetite, nausea, or fatigue.
Powassan virus
  • Powassan virus is transmitted to humans from the bite of an infected blacklegged tick.
  • Most people infected with Powassan virus develop very mild, flu-like symptoms or no symptoms at all.
  • Powassan virus can cause severe disease, including infection of the brain (encephalitis) or the membranes around the brain and spinal cord (meningitis).
Borrelia miyamotoi disease

Blacklegged ticks infected with Borrelia miyamotoi can also cause illness. This is an emerging disease and infection is currently rare. You can learn more about Borrelia miyamotoi disease from the Centres of Disease Control and Prevention.

How can I prevent tick bites?

There are several steps you can take to prevent tick bites:

  • If possible, avoid known tick environments (such as wooded, brushy or tall grass areas) and stay on trails when outdoors.
  • Cover up by wearing long sleeved, light coloured shirts and pants with tightly woven fabric.
  • Tuck your shirt into your pants and your pant legs into your socks to keep ticks away from your bare skin.
  • Wear shoes that cover your entire foot, avoiding sandals or open shoes.
  • Spray clothing and exposed skin with an insect repellent containing DEET or Icaridin.
  • Check your clothing and body for any ticks, especially around the groin, armpits and hairline after spending time outdoors. 
  • Check your pets regularly for ticks as they could carry them inside your home.
  • Shower or bathe within two hours or being outdoors to wash away loose ticks.
  • After outdoor activity, put clothes in a dryer on high heat for at least 10 minutes to kill any ticks.

If I find a tick on myself or a family member/friend, what should I do?

  • If you find a tick on your body, remove it as soon as possible.
  • The risk of getting Lyme disease increases with the length of time the tick remains attached.
  • If a blacklegged tick has bitten you, you may be at risk of developing Lyme disease. Talk to your health care provider or ask your pharmacist about antibiotic medication to prevent the development of Lyme disease.

How to remove a tick:

  • Use fine-tip tweezers to grasp the tick’s head and mouth parts as close to your skin as possible.
  • Slowly pull straight out until the tick is removed.
  • Be careful not to twist or crush the tick during removal.
  • If this occurs, the risk of infection is not increased.
  • Keeping the tick intact will help in the identification of the tick.
  • Store the tick in a sealed dry container. Do not squish the tick.
  • After removing the tick, use soap and water to wash the area of the bite.
tick being removed by grasping it's head with tweezers and lifting
Watch: How to properly remove a tick (YouTube video)

How do I submit a tick?

  • Remove the tick as soon as possible and store the tick in a sealed dry container. Do not squish the tick.
  • If you have a tick that you would like identified a free on-line tick identification service can provide quick species identification (external link).
  • The tick submission program has been discontinued at Halton Region Public Health. As of September 20, 2021, the National Microbiology Laboratory will no longer accept blacklegged ticks for testing as part of the passive surveillance program.
  • If there is a concern of Lyme disease please contact your Health Care provider.

How can I reduce the number of blacklegged ticks around my home?

  • Mow the lawn regularly to keep the grass short.
  • Remove leaf litter, brush and weeds at the edge of the lawn and around stonewalls and woodpiles.
  • Stack firewood neatly and in a dry area.
  • Put barriers to exclude deer around your home and seal stonewalls and small openings to discourage rodent activity.
  • Place children's recreational playground sets, patios and decks away from the yard edges and trees. Place them on a woodchip or mulch foundation and in a sunny location, if possible.
  • Treat pets that are commonly exposed to ticks with oral or topic acaricides (pesticide) as recommended by your veterinarian.
Watch: How to reduce ticks around your home (YouTube video)

Tick surveillance activity

Halton Region

  • Number of blacklegged ticks (Spring): 22
  • Number of blacklegged ticks (Fall): N/A
  • Positive blacklegged ticks: 7

Burlington

Location of tick dragging Number of blacklegged ticks (Spring) Number of blacklegged ticks (Fall) Positive blacklegged ticks
Burlington Christian Academy

0

N/A

N/A

Eileen John Holland Nature Sanctuary

11

N/A

5
Kerncliff Park

1

N/A

0

Oakville

Location of tick dragging Number of blacklegged ticks (Spring) Number of blacklegged ticks (Fall) Positive blacklegged ticks
Joshua's Valley Park

0

N/A

N/A

Colonel Williams Woods

4

N/A

0

Halton Hills

Location of tick dragging Number of blacklegged ticks (Spring) Number of blacklegged ticks (Fall) Positive blacklegged ticks
Acton Legion/ Birchway Place Trail

0

N/A

N/A

Limehouse Conservation

2

N/A

0

Hungry Hollow

1

N/A

0

Milton

Location of tick dragging Number of blacklegged ticks (Spring) Number of blacklegged ticks (Fall) Positive blacklegged ticks
Crawford Lake Conservation

3

N/A

2

Hilton Falls Conservation

0

N/A

N/A

Halton Region

  • Number of blacklegged ticks (Spring): 27
  • Number of blacklegged ticks (Fall): 116
  • Positive blacklegged ticks: 24

Burlington

Location of tick dragging Number of blacklegged ticks (Spring) Number of blacklegged ticks (Fall) Positive blacklegged ticks
Bayview Park

N/A

1

0

Hidden Valley Park

2

N/A

0
LaSalle Park

1

N/A

0
Lowville Park

1

N/A

0

Snake Road Bruce Trail

N/A

14

8

Twelve Mile Trail

6

N/A

0

Oakville

Location of tick dragging Number of blacklegged ticks (Spring) Number of blacklegged ticks (Fall) Positive blacklegged ticks
Aspen Forest Park

2

N/A

0

Bronte Park Provincial Park

N/A

51

10

Glenorchy Conservation Area

2

N/A

0

Iroquois Shore Woods Park

N/A

0

N/A

Langtry Park

9

N/A

0

Lions Valley

N/A

0

N/A

Halton Hills

Location of tick dragging Number of blacklegged ticks (Spring) Number of blacklegged ticks (Fall) Positive blacklegged ticks
Rennie St. Woodlot

0

N/A

N/A

Silver Creek Conservation Area

N/A

4

0

West Branch Park

N/A

0

N/A

Milton

Location of tick dragging Number of blacklegged ticks (Spring) Number of blacklegged ticks (Fall) Positive blacklegged ticks
Drumquin Park

N/A

39

3

Halton County Rail Museum

N/A

0

N/A

Halton Regional Forest - Mahon Tract

N/A

7

3

Kelso Conservation Area

2

N/A

0

Mountsburg Conservation Area

1

N/A

0

Rattlesnake Point Conservation Area

1

N/A

0

Halton Region

  • Number of blacklegged ticks (Spring): 20
  • Number of blacklegged ticks (Fall): 53
  • Positive blacklegged ticks: 5

Burlington

Location of tick dragging Number of blacklegged ticks (Spring) Number of blacklegged ticks (Fall) Positive blacklegged ticks
Kern Cliffs Park

N/A

2

0

Mount Nemo Conservation Area

10

N/A

4

Royal Botanical Gardens

N/A

29

0

Oakville

Location of tick dragging Number of blacklegged ticks (Spring) Number of blacklegged ticks (Fall) Positive blacklegged ticks
Bronte Creek Provincial Park

N/A

6

1

Joshua’s Valley Park

N/A

1

0

Halton Hills

Location of tick dragging Number of blacklegged ticks (Spring) Number of blacklegged ticks (Fall) Positive blacklegged ticks
Georgetown Fairgrounds

0

N/A

N/A

Hungry Hollow Ravine, Georgetown

0

N/A

N/A

Joseph Gibbons Park, Georgetown

N/A

0

0

Limehouse Conservation Area

10

7

0

Milton

Location of tick dragging Number of blacklegged ticks (Spring) Number of blacklegged ticks (Fall) Positive blacklegged ticks
Crawford Lake Conservation Area

N/A

8

0

Hilton Falls Conservation Area

0

N/A

N/A

Halton Region

  • Number of blacklegged ticks (Spring): 40
  • Number of blacklegged ticks (Fall): 36
  • Positive blacklegged ticks: 6

Burlington

Location of tick dragging Number of blacklegged ticks (Spring) Number of blacklegged ticks (Fall) Positive blacklegged ticks
Kerncliff Park

N/A

1

0

Mount Nemo Conservation Area

N/A

18

2

Royal Botanical Gardens

28

N/A

3

Oakville

Location of tick dragging Number of blacklegged ticks (Spring) Number of blacklegged ticks (Fall) Positive blacklegged ticks
Bronte Creek Provincial Park

N/A

11

0

Joshua’s Valley Park

N/A

4

0

Lion's Valley Park

0

N/A

0

McCraney Creek Trails

0

N/A

0

Halton Hills

Location of tick dragging Number of blacklegged ticks (Spring) Number of blacklegged ticks (Fall) Positive blacklegged ticks
Hungry Hollow Ravine, Georgetown

N/A

1

0

Limehouse Conservation Area

N/A

1

0

Scottsdale farm

0

N/A

0

Milton

Location of tick dragging Number of blacklegged ticks (Spring) Number of blacklegged ticks (Fall) Positive blacklegged ticks
South Campbellville

12

N/A

1

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