The North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit has confirmed that a blacklegged tick found in North Bay tested positive for the bacteria that can cause Lyme disease.
The tick was found embedded in the skin of an individual and was submitted to the Health Unit for testing says a news release from the Unit.
Blacklegged ticks are not common to the area; however, it is known that ticks travel on migratory birds.
The risk of getting Lyme disease in our area remains low however.
Learn more at myhealthunit.ca/lymedisease.
In the last five years, there have been five human cases of Lyme disease in the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit area, of which three were travel-related.
To date in 2016, 26 ticks have been sent for testing, with 9 being identified as blacklegged. Eight of those 9 ticks have been negative for the bacteria that causes Lyme disease.
The unit suggests tweezers should be used to remove a tick from the body as soon as possible.
"Hold the tick gently with the tweezers, as close to its head as possible, and pull it out slowly. Clean the area and apply a bandage if needed."
To submit ticks for testing, place the tick in a container and bring it to a health care provider, or the health unit. It will be sent to a laboratory for testing.
