To the editor,
Luckily, our days of sunshine and warm temperatures have arrived earlier this year. With great weather comes a greater opportunity for outdoor activity, and unfortunately the increased potential of exposure to insects that can cause illness.
With the arrival of warm weather in the province, Doctors Nova Scotia would like to improve awareness about Lyme disease which is transmitted from ticks to humans. Currently in Nova Scotia there are limited human cases of Lyme disease, however it’s important to be aware of the potential threat.
Lyme disease is a bacterial infection transmitted by blacklegged ticks (BLTs). The insect can only transmit the bacteria after it has been attached to the skin for at least 24 hours. The disease is preventable by avoiding tick bites, and is treated with antibiotics.
To date, established populations of BLTs have been found in areas of Lunenburg County, Admiral’s Cove in Bedford and Gunning Cove in Shelburne County. However, BLT’s are often dropped by migratory birds and they have been found in other parts of the province. So, it’s important to take the necessary precautions when spending time in the outdoors, especially grassy and woody areas, throughout Nova Scotia.
To prevent potential encounters with ticks be sure to walk on well-travelled paths, wear light coloured clothing, cover arms and legs and apply tick repellent containing DEET if you are in a tick-infested area. Check yourself, your children and your pets after being in grassy or wooded areas. If you find a tick on the skin, carefully grasp the tick with tweezers as close to the skin as possible. Gently and slowly pull the tick straight out, and be careful not to squeeze it. After you remove the tick, disinfect the site with soap and water.
Doctors in the province encourage Nova Scotians to review the Nova Scotia Heath Promotion and Protection website for more information:
www.gov.ns.ca/hpp/cdpc/lyme.asp
Ross Leighton, BSc, MD, FRCSC, FACS
President, Doctors Nova Scotia
www.doctorsNS.com
