As summer outdoor activities ramp up, Manitoba health officials are reminding residents to protect themselves against Lyme disease and West Nile virus by taking simple precautions to avoid tick and mosquito bites.
Lyme disease is spread through the bite of infected blacklegged ticks, commonly known as deer ticks, which can be active any time there is no snow on the ground.
To reduce the risk of tick bites, Manitobans are encouraged to use insect repellent, wear long sleeves and pants, tuck clothing into socks, stay in the centre of walking trails, and check themselves, children and pets for ticks after spending time outdoors.
Ticks should be removed promptly using tweezers.
Health officials also recommend keeping grass and shrubs trimmed around homes to create conditions that are less suitable for ticks.
Residents who find a tick can submit a photo through the eTick website for identification to determine whether it is a blacklegged tick capable of transmitting disease.
People should seek medical advice within 72 hours of removing a tick if it was identified as a blacklegged tick and was attached for at least 36 hours or appeared engorged, as preventive treatment for Lyme disease may be recommended.
Health officials are also reminding Manitobans to protect themselves against West Nile virus, which is spread through the bite of infected mosquitoes and can cause serious illness, including inflammation of the brain.
While dry spring conditions delayed mosquito development, recent rainfall and warmer temperatures are expected to increase mosquito populations across much of Manitoba. Officials say the current risk remains low but typically rises during July and August.
To reduce the risk of mosquito bites, residents are encouraged to:
• Limit outdoor activities between dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.
• Apply mosquito repellent according to label directions.
• Wear light-coloured, loose-fitting clothing with long sleeves and long pants.
• Ensure window and door screens fit tightly and are free of holes.
Homeowners can also help reduce mosquito breeding by eliminating standing water around their properties. Officials recommend regularly emptying bird baths and other water-collecting containers, cleaning eavestroughs, covering rain barrels with mosquito screening, removing old tires and improving drainage to prevent water from pooling.
Anyone with questions about Lyme disease or West Nile virus is encouraged to speak with a health-care provider or contact Health Links–Info Santé.
For more information on tick-borne diseases, visit gov.mb.ca/health/publichealth/cdc/tickborne. Information on West Nile virus is available at gov.mb.ca/health/wnv, while tick identification is available through etick.ca.
