Residents are encouraged to remain vigilant as spring begins to bloom in Northumberland County.
According to HKPR District Health Unit’s, Manager of Health Protection, Richard Ovcharovich, “Springtime brings an increased risk of vector-borne diseases, particularly ticks, and Lyme disease, as well as West Nile virus. It is vital for individuals to be aware of the risks and to take appropriate precautions to protect themselves, their families, and their communities.”
Prominent threats, according to the District Health Unit, are ticks and Lyme disease as well as mosquitoes and West Nile virus.
According to local data, there has been a steady rise in Lyme disease cases and residents are advised to take precautions when venturing outdoors:
Avoid tick-infested areas: Whenever possible, avoid tall grass, dense vegetation, and wooded areas by staying on trails.
Wear protective clothing: When venturing into tick-prone environments, cover exposed skin by wearing light-colored clothing with long sleeves, long pants, and closed-toe shoes. Tuck your pants into socks to prevent ticks from crawling up the legs.
Use insect repellent: Apply insect repellents containing DEET or picaridin on exposed skin and clothing. Always follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer.
After an outing: Placing clothing directly in a dryer and drying them for a minimum of six minutes on high heat will effectively kill ticks on clothing.
Perform tick checks: After spending time outdoors, thoroughly inspect your body for ticks. Pay close attention to hard-to-reach areas such as the scalp, behind the ears, and under the arms. Prompt removal of attached ticks reduces the risk of infection.
Create tick-safe environments: Make your home and yard less attractive to ticks by regularly mowing the grass, removing leaf litter, and creating a barrier between wooded areas and recreational spaces.
Another vector-borne disease concern during spring is West Nile virus. Spread by mosquitoes, West Nile virus can lead to severe neurological complications. Four out of five people do not show any West Nile Virus symptoms. Others may see symptoms two to 15 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito.
To limit the spread of West Nile by mosquitoes:
Eliminate mosquito breeding grounds: Remove standing water from outdoor containers, such as flowerpots, birdbaths, and gutters. Mosquitoes require stagnant water to breed, and eliminating these sources can significantly reduce their population.
Use protective measures: Wear long sleeves and pants. Apply mosquito repellents when spending time outdoors, particularly during dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.
Install window and door screens: Ensure windows and doors have properly fitted screens to prevent mosquitoes from entering your home.
By working together and implementing these preventive strategies, we can significantly reduce the impact of vector-borne diseases like Lyme disease, as well as West Nile virus.
For more information visit Protect Yourself and Others Against Lyme Disease and West Nile Virus this Season – Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit (hkpr.on.ca)
Written by Joseph Goden
