Provincial health officials are encouraging Manitobans to protect themselves by knowing where ticks are located, minimizing their risk of exposure and recognizing the signs and symptoms of Lyme disease.
These precautions will also help protect against anaplasmosis and babesiosis, two newly emerging tick-borne diseases.
Blacklegged ticks, which can carry Lyme disease, anaplasmosis and babesiosis, are most commonly found within and along the edge of forests and in areas with thick, woody shrubs and other vegetation.
The risk of tick-borne disease transmission is greatest in these regions. Blacklegged ticks are found more often from early spring through late fall.
While blacklegged ticks can be found in many areas of Manitoba, the risk of Lyme disease is relatively low outside of risk areas identified by the province. Flin Flon is not currently among those areas.
In addition to avoiding risk areas when possible, Manitobans are encouraged to take precautions to minimize their risk of tick exposure by:
• applying an appropriate tick repellent, following label directions, on exposed skin and clothing;
• inspecting themselves, children and pets after spending time outdoors;
• removing ticks as soon as possible from people and pets;
• staying to the centre of walking trails;
• wearing long pants and long-sleeved shirts; and
• keeping grass and shrubs around homes cut short to create drier environments that are less suitable for blacklegged tick survival.
