Public Health Ontario’s Lyme Disease Map is getting a little bigger.
That’s because blacklegged ticks have been found in Simcoe County. They’re the bugs that carry the bacteria that causes Lyme disease.
The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit says this will be the second area within its district to be included in the map.
The blacklegged ticks were found through what’s called “tick dragging” done along the Amos Tract in Oro-Medonte in the spring and fall of this year. The ticks were found in both seasons.
The SMDHU says that repeated occurrences of the species means they may be establishing in the area, leading to an increase in the risk that Lyme disease could spread.
This comes after a tick that was found in a person’s skin in North Bay back in June tested positive for the bacteria, although there’s no confirmation that the ticks in Oro-Medonte are carrying it.
The risk area on Public Health Ontario’s Lyme Disease Map is based on where the ticks were found and includes communities within a 20-kilometre radius of that spot.
This year, the township of Oro-Medonte, City of Orillia as well as parts of the City of Barrie, Tiny, Tay, Springwater and Severn townships will be included.
Last fall, Awenda Provincial Park and surrounding communities were identified as an estimated risk area and were included in Public Health Ontario’s Risk Map in 2018.
“Although ticks tend to be more active during the spring and summer, they can also be active in late fall and early winter when temperatures rise above freezing,” said Dr. Charles Gardner, Medical Officer of Health for the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit, in a release.
“We anticipate that the habitat for blacklegged ticks will spread over time due to our climate becoming more suitable to support the establishment of ticks in our area.” Dr. Gardner added. “Finding ticks in this area serves as a reminder that blacklegged ticks are present in Simcoe Muskoka and that people should take precautions to protect themselves against being bitten by ticks.”
With that in mind, the SMDHU says people should take steps to protect themselves from tick bites when they’re out and about in wooded or grassy areas.
That includes wearing light coloured pants, long-sleeved tops, closed footwear and tucking your pants into your socks. You should also use an insect repellant that has DEET or icaridin.
When you get back home you should check your body for ticks. Double-check areas like the groin, scalp, back and underarms and take a shower within two hours. If you find any you need to remove them quickly.
You can find more information on ticks, how to remove them, and Lyme disease at the SMDHU’s website.