Ticks and Mosquitoes | CIUSSSCN

Situation

Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, which is transmitted during a tick bite. The responsible tick in eastern North America is Ixodes scapularis, commonly known as the deer tick. The risk of contracting Lyme disease is currently low in the Capitale-Nationale region.
Ticks are found in certain sectors of the following regions of Quebec:

• Estri.
• laundry.
• Mauricie-Centre-du-Québec;
• Monterey.
• Montreal;
• Ottawas.
• Laval.
• Laurentians.

In almost all other regions of Quebec, you can find ticks that are brought by migratory birds. This tick can also transmit Lyme disease. This is the case in the Capitale-Nationale region.

Protect yourself from tick bites

Simple measures exist to prevent tick bites and the risk of contracting Lyme disease. It is important to apply them if you are planning outdoor activities in the woods, or in any other environment conducive to ticks (tall grass, bushes, etc.).

The goal is to limit direct contact with ticks. Therefore, the following is recommended:

during the activity

• stay on trails and avoid contact with plants;
• wear long, light-colored clothes and closed shoes;
• tuck the jacket into the pants, and the bottom of the pants into the socks;
• Use mosquito repellents containing DEET or icaridine (following the manufacturer’s directions).

After activity or at the end of the day

• Place clothes worn during activity in the dryer on high;
• shower or bathe as soon as possible, preferably within 2 hours of activity;
• perform a complete skin examination;
  • Consider screening children and pets
• Remove visible ticks as soon as possible.
• Watch for rash or fever within 30 days or any other unusual symptoms within a year;
• Consult a doctor if symptoms appear.

For more details about Lyme disease and how to protect yourself.

Preventive treatment

If you have been bitten by ticks in certain areas Estrie, Lanaudière, Mauricie-Center-du-Québec, Montérégie, Montreal, Outaouais, Laval or Laurentians regions, antibiotic prophylaxis may be prescribed for you in certain situations. The same is true of tick bites elsewhere in Canada and parts of the United States.

To see if preventative treatment is warranted, it is best to consult a healthcare professional as soon as possible after a tick bite. Pharmacists across Quebec are now allowed to assess the appropriateness of this preventive treatment after a tick bite.

If you have been bitten by a tick elsewhere in QuebecAntibiotic prophylaxis is generally not recommended. However, you should watch for symptoms.

West Nile virus is an infection transmitted by mosquitoes (mosquitoes). The danger is present in Quebec, even in the Capitale-Nationale region.

In most cases, West Nile virus does not cause any symptoms. However, some people can become seriously ill when the virus attacks their nervous system (less than 1% of cases). People over the age of 50, and those with chronic diseases or a weakened immune system are at greater risk for complications from WNV.

Protect yourself from mosquito bites

To protect yourself from mosquitoes, the following is recommended:

• Wear long, light-colored clothing, especially during periods of mosquito activity.
• use DEET or icaridin mosquito repellents as recommended by the manufacturer;
• make sure that the mosquito nets on the windows of the dwelling are in good condition, as well as the mosquito nets for camping equipment;
• Cover strollers and playpens with mosquito nets when using them outdoors.

Learn more about WNV and how to protect yourself from it.