Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health has issued new advice regarding tick encounters, indicating that people should perform tick checks after being outdoors in temperatures above 0 C, not just in summer or in grassy areas. According to Phil Wong, the health unit’s health protection operations director, a surveillance program revealed that ticks are now found beyond wooded trails, with common areas being parks, trails, camping sites, private properties, and workplaces for outdoor workers. Wong emphasized that individuals are often exposed to ticks on their own properties while gardening or raking leaves, even in the absence of long grass. He reassured parents that playgrounds, including those with wood chips, are generally low-risk areas for ticks, but recommended performing tick checks on children after outdoor activities.
The updated guidance from Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health follows the rise in the local tick population and the anticipated increase in tick migration from the United States. Health Canada reports over 40 tick species in Canada, some native and others introduced through hosts like birds and deer. Certain ticks, such as the Western blacklegged tick, can transmit Lyme disease, while the lone star tick may induce a meat allergy. To address these concerns, the Canadian Tick Research and Innovation Centre at Acadia University and the G Magnotta Lyme Disease Research Lab at the University of Guelph focus on tick research and tick-borne diseases.
Justin Wood, the CEO of Geneticks and a Lyme disease researcher, shared his personal experience with Lyme disease and stressed the importance of early diagnosis and intervention. He stated that ticks do not necessarily die off during winter but rather hibernate in leaf litter, remaining active throughout the season. While hoping for a decrease in tick activity during cold winters, Wood emphasized the need for continued vigilance and tick checks. Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health encourages the public to report tick encounters online for tracking purposes, underscoring the importance of outdoor enjoyment while being mindful of tick checks upon returning home.