What is Lyme Disease?
Lyme disease is an infection that is caused by a bite of an infected blacklegged tick.
What are the early symptoms of Lyme Disease?
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Fever
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Headache
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Muscle & joint pain
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Fatigue
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Expanding red rash
Planning to spend time in the wooded areas this summer?
Tick populations are expanding in Canada, and early detection and removal of ticks is important in the prevention of Lyme disease. In Ontario, an infected blacklegged tick is the only type of tick that can spread Lyme disease. The overall risk of getting Lyme disease in Toronto is low but is increased if you are doing activities in wooded and bushy areas in eastern parts of Toronto.
For more information visit Public Health Ontario website.
Etick, is an electronic tick identification platform that is available in Ontario. Anyone who finds a tick can submit a photo and receive species identification results in 48 hours. The results and statistics are posted on the website.
Prevention
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Wear long pants & long sleeves
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Apply insect repellant with DEET
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If you find a tick on your body, remove it as soon as possible
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After spending time outdoors in wooded or bushy areas, shower to remove ticks
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Carefully check your full body and head for attached ticks
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Remember to also check your children and pets for ticks
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Mow the lawn regularly & remove leaf litter, brush, and weeds from the edge of the lawn
created May 12, 2025
Lyme Disease: Prevention and Risks
Lyme Disease: Symptom and Treatment
Lyme Disease (Toronto Public Health)
