Lyme disease cases reported in Waterloo Region

Blacklegged ticks are known to transmit diseases. (Province of Nova Scotia / File)

Region of Waterloo Public Health is reporting two human cases of Lyme disease, just days after issuing a warning that infected ticks had been discovered in the community.

Officials said both have been verified and a third is being treated as a probable case.

On Tuesday, officials warned that two blacklegged ticks found in Waterloo Region had tested positive for the Lyme disease bacteria. However, the health unit said those ticks are not related to the positive human cases.

Blacklegged ticks, also known as deer ticks, transmit the bacteria to humans and animals when they latch onto a host to feed.

“Simple ways to help reduce your risk of tick bites are to stay on trails, wear protective clothing, and use insect repellent with DEET or Icaridin,” Dr. Megan Davis, a medical resident with Region of Waterloo Public Health, said on Tuesday. “Check yourself, children and pets after being outdoors. Removing ticks without delay can help reduce the risk of tick-borne diseases. An infected tick needs to be attached to a person for at least 24 hours to transmit Lyme disease.”

How to remove ticks

Anyone bitten by a blacklegged tick or any tick they cannot identify, and are feeling unwell, should contact their health care provider or family doctor.

Public health said symptoms can show up three days to one month after an infected tick bite.

They shared these tips for removing the arachnids:

• Use fine-pointed tweezers to grab the tick’s head and mouth as close to your skin as possible.
• Pull slowly.
• Do not twist or rotate and try not to damage it.
• Place the tick in a small, sealed bag or a container with a lid.
• Thoroughly wash the area with soap and water.

Public health also suggested watching this how-to video from Health Canada.

Tracking ticks

People can also submit a photo to eTick.ca or through the eTick app, so experts can identify the type of tick. The free service also has a map showing areas where ticks have been reported across Canada.