Another blacklegged tick established risk area identified in Grey-Bruce – CKNX News Today

Grey Bruce Public Health (GBPH) has added to its blacklegged tick established risk areas for this year to help prevent community members from getting bitten.

A new estimated risk area has been added in central Grey-Bruce. There are now four risk areas between the counties.

“It’s important to stress that these are estimated risk areas only and infective blacklegged ticks can be found pretty much anywhere in Ontario, especially if the habitat is ideal for these poppy-seed sized arachnids,” said GBPH Senior Public Health Manager, Andrew Barton. “Because of this, people should take precautions to prevent tick bites whenever they’re enjoying the outdoors.”

If you find a tick and are not sure what you should do, you can find more information here.

Ticks carry bacteria that can lead to Lyme disease, but in many cases, takes at least 24 hours to be transmitted. Not everyone who’s bitten gets the disease.

In 2022, there were 1,490 cases of Lyme disease in Ontario.

A full map of the risk areas in the province can be found here.