Canada is overrun with ticks, a common problem not only within the country but in the U.S. as well, particularly the Northeast area. In an effort to reduce the chances of people contracting Lyme disease, health officials are canvassing various public parks to track down and test the stubborn pests.
The process is called tick dragging and Ottawa Public Health recently combed parks to snap up ticks and submit them for testing, CBC News reported. The device used resembles a large sheet that's attached to a pole, and the adhesive consistency of the cloth essentially traps ticks when dragged over grass, bushes and various other types of vegetation.
Health officials in Ontario are aiming to nip the troublesome tick issue in the bud early, as last year, roughly 370 cases of Lyme disease were reported provincewide, according to government estimates.
Dr. Isra Levy, Ottawa's Medical Officer of Health, told CBC News that even if ticks don't carry Lyme, what the city is doing is important.
"It doesn't really matter if it's 20 or 30 or 75 [per cent infected]," Levy said. "The advice that we provide to the community is the same advice, which is try to avoid tick bites."
He added that the trend over the past several years has been troublesome, where 75 people in Ottawa specifically tested positive for Lyme, substantially higher than in years' past, when only five or six was the norm.
Should you find a tick on your person this summer, Ottawa health officials urge removing it as soon as possible, ensuring that the bug completely detaches from the skin. Treatment may be necessary depending on how long the tick was there and whether engorgement is evident. Anything beyond 24 hours may require medical treatment, usually in the form of an antibiotic. Symptoms of Lyme disease infection typically include fatigue, headache, muscle aches and a rash around the affected area.
Tick infestation is one of the more serious of pest problems, making Abell's Integrated Pest Management a priority. To get a quote or find a Abell Pest Control location near you, click here.
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