Lyme Disease and Other Tick-Borne Diseases

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 including Halton, the only ticks known to carry the bacteria (Borrelia burgdorferi) that causes Lyme disease are blacklegged ticks. Not all blacklegged ticks carry the bacteria, and not everyone who is bitten by an infected tick will develop signs and symptoms of Lyme disease.

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

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

Halton Region Public Health has been conducting biannual tick dragging each spring and fall. Typically, surveillance is conducted in areas that are wooded or brushy with tall grass and with foliage close to the ground. Locations are selected based on a variety of factors including suitable blacklegged tick habitat, human Lyme disease exposure locations and popular recreational areas.

Based on this surveillance, all of Halton region is considered an established blacklegged tick risk area. Visit Public Health Ontario’s Vector-Borne Disease Tool for more information on blacklegged tick risk areas (external link). Despite these established risk areas, people can find infected blacklegged ticks almost anywhere in Ontario, as they feed on and are transported by migratory birds and other wildlife.

What are the 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.

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

Other tick-borne diseases

Blacklegged ticks can transmit diseases such as anaplasmosis, babesiosis, and Powassan virus infection, while the American Dog tick can transmit Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF). The risk of contracting these diseases remains low in Ontario, including 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).

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

• RMSF is a serious, but treatable disease caused by a bacteria that is spread to people by tick bites from an infected American Dog tick. 
• People with RMSF will often have sudden onset of fever, rash, headache, muscle pain and chills. 
• Without early treatment, RMSF can be life-threatening in both humans and animals.

More information on tick-borne diseases (external link)

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. 
• After outdoor activity, put clothes in a dryer on high heat for at least 10 minutes to kill any ticks.
• Shower or bathe within two hours or being outdoors to wash away loose ticks.
• Check your pets regularly for ticks as they could carry them inside your home.

If I find a tick on myself or someone else, what should I do?

• If you find a tick on your body, remove it as soon as possible, as you may be at risk of developing a tick-borne disease. The risk of getting a tick-borne disease varies with the length of time the tick remains attached.
• Talk to your health care provider or ask your pharmacist about medication for tick exposure.

What are the most common tick species found in Halton?

• In Halton, the most common ticks found are American dog ticks and deer ticks (also known as blacklegged ticks).
• In Ontario, the only ticks known to carry Lyme disease are blacklegged ticks. Blacklegged ticks can transmit other diseases such as anaplasmosis, babesiosis and Powassan virus infection, however the risk of contracting these diseases remains low in Halton Region.

Tick ID

Blacklegged Tick (Deer Tick)

I found a tick. How do I identify it?

Halton Region Public Health has discontinued the tick submission program. If you have a tick that you would like identified a free on-line tick identification service can provide quick species identification (external link).

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

• Remove leaf litter, brush and weeds at the edge of the lawn and around stonewalls and woodpiles.
• Use materials such as gravel, stones, bare soil, cedar chips or sawdust to create a path or border of at least 3-inches around your property.
• Mow the lawn regularly to keep the grass short.
• 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.
• Stack firewood neatly and in a dry area.

Watch: How to reduce ticks around your home (YouTube link)

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. More information on how to protect your pets (external link).

Tick surveillance activity