{"id":3333,"date":"2025-07-03T12:33:05","date_gmt":"2025-07-03T12:33:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/timtierneyottawa.ca\/?p=3333"},"modified":"2025-07-03T12:33:05","modified_gmt":"2025-07-03T12:33:05","slug":"ticks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/timtierneyottawa.ca\/?p=3333","title":{"rendered":"Ticks"},"content":{"rendered":"<p data-start=\"413\" data-end=\"833\">As we enjoy the outdoors this summer\u2014walking through local parks, exploring wooded trails, or simply relaxing in our backyards\u2014it\u2019s important to stay informed about two health risks that are present in our region: <strong data-start=\"627\" data-end=\"643\">Lyme disease<\/strong> and <strong data-start=\"648\" data-end=\"667\">West Nile virus<\/strong>. Both are spread by insects commonly found in Ottawa\u2014<strong data-start=\"721\" data-end=\"730\">ticks<\/strong> and <strong data-start=\"735\" data-end=\"749\">mosquitoes<\/strong>\u2014and Ottawa Public Health (OPH) is working actively to help keep our community safe.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"How to protect yourself from tick bites and Lyme disease\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/bztHghiWohM\" width=\"1058\" height=\"538\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"835\" data-end=\"865\"><strong data-start=\"839\" data-end=\"865\">Lyme Disease in Ottawa<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"867\" data-end=\"1101\">Lyme disease is caused by a bacterium called <em data-start=\"912\" data-end=\"934\">Borrelia burgdorferi<\/em>, which is spread through the bite of an infected blacklegged tick. These ticks are found in grassy and wooded areas, and they\u2019re most active from spring through fall.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1103\" data-end=\"1402\">If you\u2019re out for a hike or spending time in tall grass or leaf-covered areas, it\u2019s a good idea to do a full-body check afterward\u2014for yourself, your children, and even your pets. Ticks like to hide in warm, moist areas such as behind the knees, around the groin, under the arms, and along the scalp.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1404\" data-end=\"1797\">If you do find a tick attached to your skin, remove it as soon as possible using clean tweezers. The longer a tick is attached, the greater the chance of infection. If the tick may have been attached for more than 24 hours, Ottawa Public Health recommends speaking with a pharmacist or healthcare provider. In some cases, a short course of antibiotics can prevent Lyme disease from developing.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1799\" data-end=\"2126\">Early signs of Lyme disease typically appear within 3 to 32 days and may include fatigue, fever, muscle and joint pain, headaches, swollen lymph nodes, or a circular expanding rash that may resemble a bull\u2019s-eye. The earlier it\u2019s detected, the easier it is to treat\u2014so don\u2019t hesitate to seek medical advice if you\u2019re concerned.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"How to properly remove a tick\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/X7wffUoQsio\" width=\"448\" height=\"312\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"2128\" data-end=\"2161\"><strong data-start=\"2132\" data-end=\"2161\">West Nile Virus in Ottawa<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"2163\" data-end=\"2402\">West Nile virus is another infection to be aware of during the summer months. It\u2019s carried by certain types of mosquitoes, especially those that feed on infected birds. Once infected, a mosquito can pass the virus to humans through a bite.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2404\" data-end=\"2656\">For most people, infection won\u2019t cause symptoms. But about one in five may develop a mild illness that includes fever, headache, body aches, or fatigue. In rare cases\u2014fewer than one percent\u2014West Nile virus can lead to more serious neurological illness.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2658\" data-end=\"2822\">Locally acquired cases in Ottawa tend to peak in August and September, which is why mosquito prevention and awareness is especially important throughout the summer.<\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"2824\" data-end=\"2863\"><strong data-start=\"2828\" data-end=\"2863\">What the City and OPH Are Doing<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"2865\" data-end=\"3189\">Ottawa Public Health is taking several proactive steps to monitor and reduce the spread of these infections in our community. This includes surveillance of both tick and mosquito populations, working closely with researchers from the University of Ottawa to better understand how these insects are spreading across the city.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3191\" data-end=\"3643\">OPH also runs a West Nile Virus Prevention Program that includes placing mosquito traps around the city and testing them regularly. In areas where mosquito larvae are found, they may apply biological or chemical larvicides approved by Ontario\u2019s Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks to help keep populations in check. If you have a backyard catch basin and would like it treated, you can email <strong data-start=\"3599\" data-end=\"3624\"><a class=\"cursor-pointer\" rel=\"noopener\" data-start=\"3601\" data-end=\"3622\">healthsante@ottawa.ca<\/a><\/strong> to make a request.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3645\" data-end=\"3771\">No adult mosquito spraying (adulticide) has been required to date, but it remains an option if risk levels rise significantly.<\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"3773\" data-end=\"3825\"><strong data-start=\"3777\" data-end=\"3825\">How You Can Help Protect Yourself and Others<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li data-start=\"3827\" data-end=\"3946\">While OPH is working hard behind the scenes, there are also a few simple ways you can protect yourself and your family:<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3950\" data-end=\"4039\">Use an insect repellent approved by Health Canada that contains <strong data-start=\"4014\" data-end=\"4022\">DEET<\/strong> or <strong data-start=\"4026\" data-end=\"4038\">icaridin<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"4042\" data-end=\"4149\">Wear long sleeves, long pants, and socks when spending time outdoors, especially in wooded or grassy areas.<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"4152\" data-end=\"4218\">Tuck your pants into your socks to prevent ticks from crawling up.<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"4221\" data-end=\"4307\">Try to avoid being outdoors during <strong data-start=\"4256\" data-end=\"4273\">dawn and dusk<\/strong>, when mosquitoes are most active.<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"4310\" data-end=\"4403\">Make sure your home has well-fitting screens on windows and doors to keep mosquitoes outside.<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"4406\" data-end=\"4598\">Reduce standing water around your home\u2014mosquitoes need water to breed. Regularly empty or remove items like old tires, flower pots, bird baths, toys, and pool covers where water might collect.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 data-start=\"4600\" data-end=\"4624\"><strong data-start=\"4604\" data-end=\"4624\">Staying Informed<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"4626\" data-end=\"4815\">Ottawa Public Health regularly shares updates and prevention tips on social media, including <strong data-start=\"4719\" data-end=\"4731\">Facebook<\/strong>, <strong data-start=\"4733\" data-end=\"4746\">Instagram<\/strong>, and <strong data-start=\"4752\" data-end=\"4763\">Bluesky<\/strong>. I encourage you to follow them and stay connected.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"4817\" data-end=\"5121\">If you\u2019re ever unsure about a tick bite, symptoms, or local activity related to these infections, don\u2019t hesitate to reach out to a healthcare provider\u2014or visit <a class=\"cursor-pointer\" target=\"_new\" rel=\"noopener\" data-start=\"4977\" data-end=\"5099\">Ottawa Public Health\u2019s website<\/a> for more information.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"5123\" data-end=\"5170\">Let\u2019s enjoy a safe and healthy summer together.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Learn how to protect yourself and your family from Lyme disease and West Nile virus this summer with tips and updates from Ottawa Public 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Shane","author_link":"https:\/\/timtierneyottawa.ca\/?author=3"},"rttpg_comment":0,"rttpg_category":"<a href=\"https:\/\/timtierneyottawa.ca\/?cat=78\" rel=\"category\">Resources +<\/a>","rttpg_excerpt":"Learn how to protect yourself and your family from Lyme disease and West Nile virus this summer with tips and updates from Ottawa Public Health.","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/timtierneyottawa.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3333","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/timtierneyottawa.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/timtierneyottawa.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/timtierneyottawa.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/timtierneyottawa.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3333"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/timtierneyottawa.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3333\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3334,"href":"https:\/\/timtierneyottawa.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3333\/revisions\/3334"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/timtierneyottawa.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/3331"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/timtierneyottawa.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3333"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/timtierneyottawa.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3333"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/timtierneyottawa.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3333"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}