It is tick season in Manitoba. Here is how to protect yourself against Lyme disease
It is now tick season in Manitoba, and the province is warning residents to be on guard against tick-borne diseases such as Lyme disease.
The province said Lyme disease is becoming more common in southern Manitoba. It says people should contact their health-care provider to get antibiotics within 72 hours of getting what is considered a 'high-risk bite.'
The province says a bite is defined as high risk if the tick has been reliably identified as a black-legged tick that was attached for at least 36 hours or was engorged, and is from southern Manitoba or another known risk area.
"Black-legged ticks, which can carry Lyme disease, anaplasmosis and babesiosis, are most commonly found in and along the edge of forests and in areas with thick, woody shrubs or other vegetation," the province said in a release. "However, they can also be found in urban areas including household yards. These ticks are typically found from snowmelt to snowfall, with peaks in activity in the spring and fall."
According to provincial data, there were 12 confirmed cases of Lyme disease in Manitoba in 2021.
Symptoms of Lyme disease typically show up three to 30 days after a person is bitten by an infected black-legged tick.
Once bitten, the province said an expanding rash may appear which is neither itchy nor tender – it has been described as a bullseye-looking rash. Other symptoms may include headache, fatigue, chills, fever, muscle aches, joint pain, stiff neck or swollen lymph nodes.
The province says people should call their health-care provider or Health Links-Infor Santé if they think they have anaplasmosis, babesiosis or Lyme disease.
Manitobans are encouraged to use tick repellent on skin and clothing, wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts, stay in the centre of walking trails, check themselves for ticks after being outdoors, and remove any ticks as soon as possible from themselves, their children or their pets.
The province said keeping the grass and shrubs cut short around homes can also help prevent ticks.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Iran fires at apparent Israeli attack drones near Isfahan air base and nuclear site
An apparent Israeli drone attack on Iran saw troops fire air defences at a major air base and a nuclear site early Friday morning near the central city of Isfahan, an assault coming in retaliation for Tehran's unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on the country.
NEW After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Ontario woman loses $15,000 to fake Walmart job scam
A woman who recently moved to Canada from India was searching for a job when she got caught in an online job scam and lost $15,000.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Ottawa to force banks to call carbon rebate a carbon rebate in direct deposits
Canadian banks that refuse to identify the carbon rebate by name when doing direct deposits are forcing the government to change the law to make them do it, says Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault.
DEVELOPING Israel targets air defence system in Syria, state news agency says
Israel carried out a missile strike targeting an air defence unit in southern Syria, causing material damage, state-run SANA news agency quoted a military statement as saying Friday.
Some Canadian families will receive up to $620 per child today
More money will land in the pockets of some Canadian families on Friday for the latest Canada Child Benefit installment.