More and more black legged ticks, the insects that carry the bacteria which causes Lyme disease, are popping up in the London area.
Middlesex London Health Unit officials say while black legged ticks have established in the London area, it is not an endemic problem like it is in the Turkey Point and Rondeau Provincial Park areas.
"They are mostly spread by small rodents and the migratory birds. There's a lot of discussion on how they spread. Migratory birds can drop them here, but we haven't had any human cases (of Lyme disease) yet," says Manager of the Middlesex London Health Unit's Environmental Teal Iqbal Kalsi. "With the climate change and all those things they (black legged ticks) are becoming more conducive in our area, plus we get it from a lot of travel."
The health unit routinely collects ticks and tests them for the bacteria that causes Lyme disease. If you find a tick, you can drop it off at the health unit for testing.
In order to become infected with Lyme disease you must be bitten by a tick infected with the bacteria called Borrelia Burgdorferi.
Symptoms include a "bulls-eye" rash, high fever and tiredness.
Kalsi recommends wearing light coloured clothing and limiting skin exposure while camping or hiking to protect yourself.
