Residents are being advised to protect themselves from ticks.
The small arachnids have already been spotted across Sarnia-Lambton.
Lambton Public Health's Lori Lucas says Lyme disease is spread by the bite of an infected blacklegged tick.
"The American dog tick is the most common tick we are seeing still in Lambton County and it's not an efficient transmitter of Lyme disease, but we have seen about a dozen blacklegged ticks submitted to us so far this year," says Lucas. "We know that we have confirmed populations of blacklegged ticks in and around Pinery Provincial Park, so it's important to take precautions when visiting the park and in the Lambton Shores area."
Lyme disease symptoms, including fever, headache fatigue and muscle and joint pains usually occur within one to two weeks but can occur as soon as three days after a bite.
Lucas says we should wear insect repellent containing deet, long pants and long sleeves and checking pets and ourselves for ticks periodically.
She says if you find a tick, use tweezers to pull it straight out and do not twist, squeeze or burn the insect. For more information about ticks or Lyme disease visit www.lambtonhealth.on.ca
