Huron County, ON – As the last long weekend of summer approaches, mosquitoes and ticks are still active. The Huron County Health Unit reminds residents to protect themselves against mosquito and tick bites when spending time outdoors.
“When you’re enjoying the end of summer, it’s important to keep protecting yourself against bug bites,” says Public Health Inspector Keshia Hackett. Precautions to take when spending time outdoors include:
- Wear light-coloured, long-sleeved shirts, long pants and closed-toed shoes.
- Use an insect repellent approved by Health Canada, and always read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Conduct head-to-toe tick checks. If you find a tick on you, remove it using tweezers, grasping the tick as close to the skin as possible and pulling straight out slowly but firmly. Place the tick in a container and bring it to your healthcare provider or the Huron County Health Unit for identification and testing if needed.
Lyme disease is spread through the bite of an infected blacklegged tick. A tick must be attached and feeding for at least 24 hours before the tick will start to transmit the bacteria, so early detection and removal is important. Early symptoms include:
- Fever
- Headache
- Muscle and joint pain
- Fatigue
- An expanding rash that may resemble a bull’s eye
West Nile virus is spread to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. Many mosquitoes are most active at dusk and dawn. Most people infected with West Nile virus do not experience any symptoms, however, those that do show symptoms will experience:
- Fever
- Headache
- Body aches
- Fatigue
- Skin rash
- Occasionally vomiting and nausea
If you experience any of these symptoms, speak to your healthcare provider.
To learn more about Lyme disease or West Nile virus, please visit huronhealthunit.ca
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Our media contact is: Rita Marshall, Communications Coordinator, Huron County Health Unit, 519.482.3416 or toll-free 1.877.837.6143 ext. 2023 or rmarshall@huroncounty.ca
Our spokesperson is: Keshia Hackett, Public Health Inspector. Our media contact will connect you to our spokesperson on this topic.