Spike in tick sightings in certain parts of Winnipeg: entomologist
As the summer season begins, Manitobans are being warned about the dangers of ticks.
According to entomologist Taz Stuart, more ticks are being spotted in parts of Winnipeg.
“For us personally, we deal with people’s backyards and we’re seeing increased numbers in certain areas of the city,” Stuart says.
“So when people go out, it’s important to be protecting yourself.”
Manitoba has been seeing an increase in tick-borne diseases over the past few years, with cases of Lyme disease more than doubling over five years.
Stuart notes Manitobans are at risk of being bitten by a tick right across southern Manitoba.
“When I first moved here in 2004, black-legged were in the southeast corner of Manitoba,” Stuart says.
“If you go online, you can see the spread of black-legged ticks across southern Manitoba and even into northern Manitoba.”
The province says that the black-legged tick, also known as the deer tick, is one of the ticks responsible for spreading tick-borne diseases.
Stuart notes that Manitobans need to be checking themselves for ticks, and getting the proper testing if they do find one.
“You don’t want to get Lyme disease or any tick-borne disease,” Stuart says.
Anyone who spots or is bitten by a tick in Manitoba can use the eTick program, which provides people with quick and accurate access to tick identification.
To use the program, Manitobans can upload a picture of the tick online or through an app, and then answer a few questions about where and when they found the tick. From there, a provincial expert will identify the species of the tick and email the person to let them know if there is any medical relevance to the species and what they should do next.
Stuart says some ways people can lessen their risk is by wearing light-coloured clothing and using a repellant.
Stuarts adds that if someone goes for a walk or hike or spends time outside, they should keep off grassy areas or places where there is a tree line or edge.
- With files from CTV’s Maralee Caruso.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Bodies recovered in Mexico likely 2 Australians, 1 American who went missing: officials
Three bodies recovered in an area of Baja California are likely to be those of the two Australians and an American who went missing last weekend during a camping and surfing trip, the state prosecutor’s office said Saturday.
Work stoppage possible as WestJet issues lockout notice to maintenance engineers' union
A lockout notice issued by WestJet to a union representing aircraft maintenance engineers could result in a work stoppage next week.
No proof man lied to brother about number of kittens born in litter, B.C. tribunal rules
A man was denied a $5,000 payout from his brother after a B.C. tribunal dismissed his claim disputing how many kittens were born in a litter.
'I just can't believe that it took so long': Body found in wreckage 3 months after deadly fire
A man accused of arson in a January Old Strathcona apartment fire is expected to be charged with manslaughter after a body was discovered in the burned building late last month.
Quebec police hand out hundreds of tickets to Hells Angels and other bikers before 'first run' meeting
Quebec provincial police handed out hundreds of fines to Hells Angels members and other supporting motorcycle clubs who met for their 'first run' in a small town near Sherbrooke, Que.
London Drugs begins 'gradual reopening' on 7th day after cyberattack
Almost a week after all London Drugs stores across Western Canada abruptly closed amid a cyberattack, they began a "gradual reopening" on Saturday.
Auston Matthews skates ahead of Game 7, status unclear with season on the line
Auston Matthews was back on the ice with his teammates Saturday.
Russia puts Ukrainian President Zelenskyy on its wanted list
Russia has put Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on its wanted list, Russian state media reported Saturday, citing the interior ministry’s database.
Snakes almost on a plane: U.S. TSA discovers a bag with small snakes in passenger's pants
According to an X post by the Transportation Security Administration, officers at the Miami International Airport found the small bag of snakes hidden in a passenger's trousers on April 26 at a checkpoint.