The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit is dragging for black-legged deer ticks at three Windsor-Essex parks today.
The health unit uses two surveillance methods:
Active surveillance: Tick dragging performed twice yearly to identify areas in Windsor- Essex that have populations of blacklegged ticks. Ticks are harvested by dragging a white cloth. Ticks collected on the cloth are sent to the lab for testing.
Passive Surveillance: Collection of ticks from people after they are bitten. Ticks found on humans (not on pets) that were brought to the Health unit and sent away for identification and testing.
From the “drag” portion of surveillance in 2015 (active surveillance) only three ticks were harvested, all from Ojibway.
From the passive surveillance method the health unit collected a total of 121 ticks in 2015.
-11 were blacklegged ticks
- 4 tested positive for B. burgdorferi
- 7 tested negative.
The health unit is reminding residents and visitors to be aware of ticks to help prevent Lyme disease.
Lyme disease is a serious condition that is spread by the bite of infected blacklegged ticks. These tiny little creatures can be found in wooded areas such as campgrounds, parks, trails and your backyard.
Tick dragging is an active surveillance method used in Ontario and consists of dragging a white flannel cloth over and around areas where ticks may be present. Ticks collected during the drag are sent away to labs for identification and testing.
To reduce your risks of being bitten by a tick, the health unit has some tips:
· Avoid walking in tall grass and stay to the centre of paths.
· Shower within 2 hours of being outside.
· Do a full body check after being outdoors.
· Cover up. Wear long sleeves and pants.
· Wear light-coloured clothing to spot ticks more easily
· Tuck your pants into your socks and wear closed toed shoes.
· Use insect repellent containing at least 20% DEET on exposed skin and clothing (read and follow directions).
· Keep grass in your yard short.
· Put a tick collar on your pets.
· Check pets after they come in from outdoors.
If you find a tick on your body, use a tick key or tweezers and follow these directions to remove a tick. Do not squeeze it. Gently wash the bite and surrounding area with soap and water or rubbing alcohol.
Bring the tick to the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit. They accept ticks that are found on human bodies (we do not accept ticks found on animals) between Monday - Friday, 8:30am-4:30pm.
