First Case of Lyme Disease Acquired in Nova Scotia

The Department of Health continues to advise the public to take some simple precautions to avoid being bitten by ticks after health officials confirmed the first case of Lyme disease acquired in Nova Scotia.

"The risk of Lyme disease is still very low. It is highly treatable and the public should not be worried. The person who was ill lives on the South Shore and is recovering and did not require hospitalization," said Dr. Richard Gould, medical officer of health. "A case of Lyme disease in Nova Scotia was not unexpected because the illness has been present along the U.S. eastern seaboard for several years, and we know the tick most closely associated with Lyme disease is present in the province."

Dr. Gould said the particular tick, called a deer tick, is not common in Nova Scotia.

The lyme disease bacteria is generally passed from an infected tick only after the tick has been attached to a person from 18 to 24 hours. The most common host for the agent responsible for the disease is the deer tick, which is very rare in Nova Scotia. The dog tick, which is much more common, does not normally carry the agent responsible for Lyme disease.

People at risk for Lyme disease are those who live or work in areas surrounded by woods, overgrown brush or tall grass, as well as people using the woods for recreational purposes.

"We encourage Nova Scotians to continue enjoying the outdoors while taking simple precautions to avoid being bitten by ticks," said Dr. Gould.

Such precautions include:

• Keep the grass around your home cut.
• Wear light-coloured clothing when in the woods. Tuck in your shirt and tuck pants into your boots or socks.
• Use insect repellant containing the ingredient DEET. Always read the entire label carefully before using.
• Check your clothing and body when in an area where ticks may live.
• Regularly check 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.

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