LYME DISEASE

Lyme Disease

Health Canada defines Lyme disease as:

“An infectious disease spread through the bite of infected ticks. There are two types of ticks that can spread Lyme disease in Canada:

1. Blacklegged tick (or deer tick, Ixodes scapularis) in southeastern and south-central regions of Canada
2. Western blacklegged tick (Ixodes pacificus) in British Columbia

Ticks need blood to survive, so they attach on animals and humans to feed. Ticks become infected with Lyme disease bacteria by feeding on infected wild animals, such as:

• birds
• rodents

Once infected, ticks can spread the bacteria to humans and pets, particularly dogs. In most cases, the infected tick must attach and feed for at least 24 hours before the bacteria can be transmitted.”

For more information in Lyme disease visit Health Canada website.

Helpful Links

Visit these websites for some useful information:

https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/lyme-disease.html

https://www.ontario.ca/page/lyme-disease

Prophylaxis of Lyme Disease in Pediatric Patients – Download PDF