Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health has issued updated advice on tick encounters, emphasizing the need for tick checks even in temperatures above 0 C. According to Phil Wong, the health unit’s director of operations for health protection, an expanded range of tick sightings has been observed through a surveillance program that collects photos and information from the public.
Tick encounters are not limited to wooded trails; they also occur in parks, trails, camping sites with long grass, private properties, and among individuals who work outdoors. Wong highlighted that people are finding ticks while gardening or raking leaves on their properties. However, he reassured parents that playgrounds, even those with wood chips, are usually low-risk areas for ticks.
With over 40 tick species in Canada, the local tick population is growing, prompting the necessity for vigilance. Health Canada warns of potential tick-borne diseases, such as Lyme disease transmitted by the Western blacklegged tick. The recent establishment of the Canadian Tick Research and Innovation Centre at Acadia University aims to enhance tick research and disease prevention efforts.
Justin Wood, a Lyme disease survivor and scientist at the G Magnotta Lyme Disease Research Lab, emphasizes the importance of early tick detection for effective treatment. Despite hopes of tick reduction during cold winters, ticks tend to survive by hibernating in leaf litter.
To aid in tracking tick encounters, the public is encouraged to report ticks online via the health unit’s website. Despite the increasing risk, Wong encourages outdoor activities but stresses the importance of conducting thorough tick checks upon returning indoors.
