Ottawa Public Health is reminding people to take steps to minimize exposure to blacklegged ticks while outdoors this summer, with the highest rates of Lyme disease occurring among people who live in the city’s west end. As of July 20, 118 Ottawa residents have been diagnosed with Lyme disease this year. In 2025, 441 Ottawa residents were diagnosed with Lyme disease. Ottawa and eastern Ontario are a known risk area for Lyme disease caused by a bite from blacklegged ticks. Wooded areas or areas with tall grass are suitable outdoor areas for ticks, according to the health unit. “Although ticks carrying the bacteria that causes Lyme disease can occur anywhere in Ottawa, the highest rates of Lyme disease occur among people who live in the west of Ottawa,” Ottawa Public Health said in a statement to CTV News Ottawa. “Exposure is commonly associated with spending time outdoors at a private home in Ottawa or camping/cottaging in neighbouring regions southwest of Ottawa (e.g., Perth, Westport, Murphy’s Point Provincial Park, Kingston).” The medical officer of health and CEO of the Eastern Ontario Health Unit (EOHU) says tick bites are becoming more common. “This year in our area, we tested about 87 ticks — 47 per cent of them were positive for Lyme disease, and if you compare that to previous years, it was a lower number. On average in Ontario, it’s about 21 per cent,” Dr. Paul Roumeliotis said. Ottawa Public Health offers the following tips to protect yourself from tick bites: The EOHU is also reminding people to take simple measures to prevent tick and mosquito bites. “The EOHU region is a known risk area for Lyme disease caused by the bite of blacklegged ticks, also known as deer ticks,” the health unit said. “In addition to Lyme disease, ticks in the area have also tested positive for anaplasmosis, babesiosis and Powassan virus in recent years. While these diseases are less common than Lyme disease, they also have the potential to cause serious illness.” According to Dr. Roumeliotis, ticks love dry, messy places, including areas with tall grass and shrubs. “A tick has to be stuck to a person’s body for more than 24 hours to get Lyme disease. It’s best to remove it as soon as possible,” Dr. Roumeliotis said. Along with wearing insect repellent, the Eastern Ontario Health Unit urges people to wear long sleeves, long pants, socks and closed-toe shoes while spending time outdoors and wear light-coloured clothing to make ticks easier to spot. “If you find a tick attached to your skin, remove it as soon as possible,” the health unit said in a statement on Wednesday. “If you believe it may have been attached for 24 hours or longer, or if you develop flu-like symptoms or an unusual rash in the days or weeks after a tick bite, contact your healthcare provider or pharmacist. Early treatment for Lyme disease is highly effective.“ Dr. Roumeliotis says health care providers can administer antibiotics to help prevent Lyme disease. With files from CTV’s Kimberley Fowler
