Precautions Against Ticks

The Department of Health is advising Nova Scotians to take some simple precautions to avoid being bitten by ticks. The advice comes after a deer tick in Antigonish County tested positive with the agent responsible for Lyme disease.

Ticks are tiny brown or black bugs that normally feed on the blood of animals. However, ticks will occasionally bite humans and in rare cases may transmit an agent that causes illness.

"We follow-up on a number of potential cases of Lyme disease each year in Nova Scotia and this year is no exception. So far there have been no cases of the disease," said Dr. Maureen Baikie, associate provincial medical officer of health. "The risk of Lyme disease in Nova Scotia remains very low and we encourage Nova Scotians to continue enjoying the outdoors while taking simple precautions to avoid being bitten by ticks."

Such precautions include:

• Keeping the grass around your home cut.
• Wearing light-coloured clothing when in the woods, tucking in your shirt and tucking pants into your boots or socks.
• Using insect repellant containing the ingredient DEET. Always read the entire label carefully before using.
• Checking your clothing and body when in an area where ticks may live.
• Regularly checking household pets that roam in tall grass and wooded areas.

If a person is bitten by a tick carrying the agent responsible for Lyme disease, a characteristic rash resembling a bull's eye may develop around the bite within three to 30 days. Other symptoms include fever, headache, tiredness, stiff neck, soreness all over and pain or swelling in the joints. If the bite is untreated, pain and swelling in the knees may occur within weeks or years.

If a tick is discovered on the skin remove it immediately by doing the following:

• Gently take hold of the tick as close to the skin as possible using tweezers or forceps.
• Carefully lift the tick straight off the skin without squeezing or jerking. Try to make sure all of the tick is removed.
• Clean the area with soap and water or rubbing alcohol once the tick has been removed. Then wash hands with soap and water.
• If necessary, ask the family doctor for advice.

The Department of Health, along with the Department of Natural Resources, is working on a systematic approach to tracking ticks in the province.

A fact sheet on ticks and Lyme disease, as well as information on how to help in the study of Lyme disease, is available on the Department of Health Web site at www.gov.ns.ca/health/publichealth/content/lyme.htm .