Making tick season a safe one

Tick trouble is back: Here’s how to stay safe outdoors this spring

With spring temperatures rising above 4°C, ticks are becoming active again across our listening area.

Dr. Linna Li, Deputy Medical Officer of Health, says blacklegged ticks in the area may carry bacteria that cause Lyme disease, or other ilnnesses.

Andrew Dunn, Senior Public Health Inspector, says to be safe we have to be “tick smart”.

That means wearing light-coloured clothing, using repellents with DEET or Icaridin, and doing full-body tick checks after outdoor activities. Pets should also be checked.

Dr. Li says a tick must be attached for 12 to 24 hours or longer to spread disease.

If you’ve been bitten, watch for symptoms like fever, chills, headache and fatigue.

You can listen to the full conversation below.

For more info, visit the South East Health Unit’s website or call 1-800-660-5853.