BR NB Lyme Disease – CP

Source: The Canadian Press – Broadcast wire
May 17, 2016 

FREDERICTON – The New Brunswick government is urging people to watch for ticks and protect themselves against Lyme disease.

Jennifer Russell, the acting chief medical officer of health, says people should see a doctor if they develop a bull’s eye target rash or have flu-like symptoms after being bitten by a tick.

She says Lyme disease is an emerging illness in Canada, but is treatable with antibiotics when diagnosed early.

It’s caused by bacteria spread by the bite of infected black-legged ticks, which need to be embedded in the skin for about 36 hours before they transmit the disease.

But Russell says most ticks in New Brunswick do not carry the disease and the risk of contracting it is low.

Still, she says people should walk in the middle of trails, wear clothing that covers the skin, clear brush and tall grass near houses and use insect repellent.

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(The Canadian Press)

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