Lyme disease is a bacterial illness that affects people and animals. It spreads by the bite of an infected tick.
There are many different types of ticks. Currently, in Ontario, only the black-legged tick can spread Lyme disease. Not all black-legged ticks are infected. Lyme disease cannot spread from person to person.
Watch our public health inspector discuss how to get tick smart and protect yourself.
Lyme Disease in Durham Region infographic
Protect yourself against Lyme disease
Black-legged ticks
Black-legged ticks are usually found in or near wooded or forested areas, in leaf litter, or on bushes and tall grass.
Ticks need blood to survive and they can become infected when they feed on infected wild animals such as birds, rodents or deer. Only then can they spread the infection to humans or pets.
Black-legged ticks are very small. Immature ticks can be the size of a poppy seed and adults the size of a sesame seed.
They often attach to areas of the body where they are hard to see, such as the groin, armpit and scalp.
Ticks cannot fly or jump. Instead, they climb onto grasses or bushes and wait for a host (person or animal) to brush by. A tick will quickly attach and then find a suitable place to bite.
| Signs and symptoms |
Someone with Lyme disease may experience any of the following symptoms:Early signs
If left untreated, more severe symptoms may occur. Severe symptoms may include:
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| Diagnosis, testing and treatment |
DiagnosisA diagnosis of Lyme disease is based on:
TestingA blood test is the most common way to test for Lyme disease. However, it should not be the only factor in diagnosing the disease. Treatment
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| Protecting yourself from tick bites |
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| How to remove a tick and test it |
If you find a tick on yourself or someone else:
Health Department offices that accept ticks for testing101 Consumers Drive 181 Perry Street, Suite 200 |
| Who is at risk? |
The risk of getting Lyme disease in the Region is low. You have a higher risk if you are an outdoor enthusiast and you live in or visit any area that has black-legged ticks. |
| Risk locations |
| Durham Region Health Department's tick surveillance program helps to determine where black-legged ticks have become established in Durham Region. This information helps assess the risk of Lyme disease. |
| Role of the Health Department |
| Durham Region Health Department works to prevent and reduce the spread of Lyme disease in humans through tick surveillance and the investigation of human cases. |
| Vector-borne diseases reports |
Vector-borne diseases in Durham Region weekly summary reports |
| Additional information |
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