May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month and Manitobans can protect themselves by performing regular tick checks after spending time outdoors, knowing where blacklegged ticks are located, minimizing the risk of exposure, and recognizing the signs and symptoms of tick-borne diseases.
Blacklegged ticks are most commonly found within and along the edge of forests and in areas with thick, woody shrubs and other vegetation, and can carry anaplasmosis, babesiosis and Lyme disease. These small ticks are difficult to see and are most abundant during late spring and summer. Manitobans are encouraged to take precautions to minimize their risk of tick exposure by: applying an appropriate tick repellent, following label directions, on exposed skin and clothing; inspecting themselves, children and pets after spending time outdoors; removing ticks as soon as possible from people and pets; staying to the center of walking trails; wearing long pants and long-sleeved shirts; and keeping grass and shrubs around homes cut short to create drier environments that are less suitable for blacklegged tick survival.
For more information, please contact Health Links-Info Santé at 204-788-8200 or (toll-free) 1‑888‑315-9257 or visit www.gov.mb.ca/health/publichealth/cdc/tickborne.
