Those heading to the Pinery Provincial Park are being warned of a heightened chance of contracting Lyme disease.
Lambton Public Health said the Pinery and 20 km surrounding area, including Port Franks, is at high risk due to the increased blacklegged tick population and the number of ticks that have tested positive.
Health Protection Supervisor Jessica Zehnal said precautions should always be taken before and during a hike, including the use of insect repellent containing DEET for adults.
"You definitely want to try to stick to the trails and avoid direct contact with plant growth, if possible," said Zehnal. "You want to wear light coloured clothing, this makes it easier to spot a tick that might be on you. You should wear long pants, a long sleeve shirt and socks, closed-toed shoes and a hat. You'll want to tuck your shirt into your pants and your pants into your socks."
Zehnal said it's also important to do a daily tick check for early detection, in areas including your scalp, groin and armpits.
She said if you are bitten by a blacklegged tick in the Pinery Park area, and it has been attached and feeding for more than 24 hours, it is recommended that you consult a health care provider.
You're unlikely to contract Lyme disease if the tick is removed quickly.
The most common symptom is an expanding skin rash that can appear three to 30 days after being bitten. You may also experience muscle and joint pain, headache, fever and fatigue.
Not all blacklegged ticks carry the bacteria that causes Lyme disease and not everyone who is bitten by an infected tick will develop signs and symptoms.
You can submit a photo of the tick for identification by visiting www.lambtonpublichealth.ca.
