The Pinery Provincial Park along with a 20 km surrounding area which includes Port Franks have been identified as high-risk areas for Lyme Disease.
Lambton Public Health says this due to an increased blacklegged tick population in that area.
Protect yourself against ticks: perform routine tick checks, coverup with long light coloured clothing and closed toed shoes, use insect repellent with DEET, and stick to marked trails.
If you are bitten by an identified blacklegged tick from this high-risk area and it’s been attached and feeding for more than 24 hours its recommended you consult a doctor.
If you discover a tick during a routine tick check:
Safely remove the tick, submit a picture for identification, monitor for symptoms of Lyme disease with the most common being an expanding skin rash, and call a doctor if symptoms develop.
Written by Rob Ross
