Ticks Established in Gavelton, Yarmouth County

Field work has confirmed that ticks collected from in and around Gavelton, Yarmouth Co., carry the bacteria that can cause Lyme disease.

The field work is part of an ongoing surveillance program by the departments of Natural Resources and Health and Wellness, in partnership with the Public Health Agency of Canada's National Microbiology Laboratory.

Residents, health care providers and municipal leaders in Gavelton and the surrounding areas were informed by letters sent from Dr. Lynda Earle, medical officer of health for South West Health.

"Although this is not the time of year when ticks are typically most active, it's important for people to be mindful that when working or playing in grassy, shrubby and wooded areas that they prevent tick exposure, even though risk of contracting Lyme disease remains low," said Ms. Earle.

"It's important to keep protection in mind as the weather continues to be unseasonably mild, as ticks remain active until the first permanent snowfall or when air temperatures are consistently below 4 degrees."

There are several easy ways to prevent or reduce contact with ticks:

• wear light-coloured, long-sleeved shirts and pants and socks so ticks are more visible, and enclosed shoes while working or playing outside or hiking in the woods
• pull socks up over pant legs and tuck in shirts
• spray clothing and exposed skin with an insect repellant containing DEET
• check clothing and exposed skin for ticks after working or playing outside in the bushes or tall grass and remove any ticks attached to the skin
• keep grass well cut to minimize suitable habitat for ticks on your property

Other areas where the Lyme disease bacteria is present in ticks include:

• Lunenburg County: Blue Rocks, Garden Lots, Heckmans Island and First Peninsula and areas immediately surrounding them
• Halifax Regional Municipality: Admirals Cove in Bedford
• Pictou County: areas around Melmerby Beach, Egerton, Kings Head, and Pine Tree
• Shelburne County: Gunning Cove

Although there are established areas of increased risk within Nova Scotia, ticks have been found throughout the province. Nova Scotians are reminded to enjoy the outdoors safely, regardless of where they live.

Images of the blacklegged tick, tick removal instructions and general information on Lyme disease are available online at www.gov.ns.ca/hpp/cdpc/lyme.asp .