Lyme Disease - Deer Ticks
Date of Issue: October 7, 2002
Hazard Summary
The following information has been provided by the Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources.
Lyme disease is a bacterial infection transmitted from infected deer ticks (blacklegged ticks) to humans. The tick attaches itself to shrubs and grasses and transfers to animals and humans that brush past. Care should be taken by persons who are active outdoors - anglers farmers, loggers, trappers, biologists, etc.
Anyone spending time in tall grass, brush or forested areas should shower and / or make a thorough daily check of their body - paying special attention to the armpits, back of knees, head, nape of the neck, groin areas.
How is it transmitted?
The ticks that spread Lyme disease are smaller than the more common wood ticks. Tick bites are painless and most people do not know they have been bitten.
Infection of humans usually occurs after a bite from an infected tick. Lyme disease itself is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi.
The infected tick only transmits the disease after it has been attached to a person for at least 24 hours. Daily checks and removal of ticks should virtually eliminate any risk of transmission in Nova Scotia.
Risk Factor and Symptoms
In many cases Lyme disease is recognized as a red rash starting at the bite site and spreading out, often as a growing circle. The rash can start 3 to 30 days after the bite. Note: A swollen red area appearing immediately after the bite is likely a reaction to the tick and NOT Lyme disease.
The rash may be accompanied by fever, chills, headache, fatigue, and swollen lymph glands. In some cases, the disease may result in neurological and muscular problems weeks or months after the original infection. More serious ailments such as recurrent meningitis, heart problems, and arthritis may be present for years.
Treatment
Lyme disease can be treated, particularly in the early stages. The Borrelia bacteria can be killed with antibiotics.
Precautions
When working in tall grass or wooded areas there are several precautions persons may take:
- Wear light coloured long sleeved shirts and long pants - to make it easier to see ticks that may be on you
- Tuck the shirt into the pants and the pants into your socks to prevent the tick from crawling unto your skin
- Use an approved tick repellant containing DEET, following the manufacturer's instructions
- Conduct frequent checks - includes a visual inspection of clothing and any exposed skin. While ticks will attach to anywhere on the body, they do prefer body creases - armpits, back of knees, head, nape of the neck, groin, etc.
Tick Removal procedure
If you have been bitten it is important to remove the tick properly:
- Use a fine-point tweezer
- Grasp the tick at the place of attachment, near its head and as close as to your skin as possible
- Slowly pull it out straight, avoid twisting or turning the tick - so the mouth parts are released and do not break off in the skin.
- If a tick must be removed with fingers use a leaf or tissue to avoid contact with infected tick fluids
- Do not prick, crush or burn the attached tick as it may release infected fluids or tissue
- Wash hands, disinfect the tweezers and bite site
- Contact your doctor to determine if treatment is needed - fill out the appropriate forms
- If bitten, try to collect the tick to have the species determined by Department of Natural Resources personnel near you.
Links to additional Information
The following links provide additional information: