2024-07-15 15:41:46
The Public Health Department of the Integrated Health and Social Services Center (CISSS) of Lanaudière reminds the population of the importance of protecting themselves against tick bites, as these insects can transmit Lyme disease.
Location in Lanaudière
There are 33 municipalities in Lanaudière that are considered to be areas at risk of contracting Lyme disease. To find out the targeted municipalities in the region and elsewhere in Quebec, see the interactive map at or list of municipalities.
ticks that carry Lyme disease
Lyme disease is transmitted by the bite of the black tick, which carries the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi.
This insect is found mainly in tall grasses and plants on the ground. If a tick attaches to your skin and bites you, you must remove it safely and follow certain recommendations. To find out what to do in the event of a sting, consult the https://www.quebec.ca/sante/conseils-et-prevention/sante-et-environnement/retrait-dune-tique-en-cas-de-pique.
Preventive treatment
If you have been bitten by a tick in a risk area, you may be prescribed an antibiotic as a preventative measure. To assess whether preventive treatment is recommended, contact Info-Santé 811 or consult a health professional as soon as possible.
Signs
Symptoms can appear between 3 and 30 days after a tick bite. The most characteristic symptom is a target-shaped redness at the site of the bite. This causes very little pain or itching and lasts for at least 2 days. Fever, headache, fatigue and body aches may also be present.
If you have one or more symptoms of Lyme disease, call Info-Santé 811 or consult a health professional. When detected at an early stage, the infection is treated with antibiotics. If not detected and treated quickly, complications such as heart, neurological and joint problems can occur which are sometimes irreversible.
Prevention tips
To avoid tick bites, here are habits to adopt during outdoor activities:
- Walk in the forest on paths and avoid tall grass;
- Use of mosquito repellent on exposed parts of the body;
- Wear a hat, closed shoes and long, light clothes to make ticks easier to spot;
- Tuck your jumper into your pants and put your socks over your pants to prevent ticks from climbing up your legs;
- Inspect your clothing, equipment and body after any outdoor activity. Get help from another person or use a mirror to examine less visible areas such as the back;
- Inspect your pet after a trip and quickly remove any ticks found on it;
- Take a bath or shower as soon as possible, ideally within 2 hours of outdoor activity, to check for ticks. This will also remove ticks that are not firmly attached to the skin;
- Also take advantage of bath time to examine the children.
For more information about Lyme disease and preventing tick bites, you can check out the following tools:
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