General information and advice

In the Montérégie region, nearly 135 people contracted Lyme disease in 2022, and nearly 170 people in 2023 . It's a disease to be taken seriously, because if it isn't treated quickly, it can lead to problems with the nervous system, joints and heart. In addition, cases of anaplasmosis, another tick-borne disease, were detected in Montérégie in 2023.

What is a tick?

A tick is not an insect, but a mite. In Quebec, 12 species of tick have been identified. As of now, only one of them, the blacklegged tick, can transmit Lyme disease.

What time of year should I watch out for them?

Hotter, longer summers and milder winters can encourage tick activity over a longer period. Citizens should therefore be vigilant from April to November, even if the risk of being bitten is higher from May to September.

Where do ticks hide?

• Woods, forests, undergrowth, shrubs and brush

• Tall grass, uncultivated land

• Gardens near woods, shrubs, brush or tall grass
  
  

How to protect yourself?

To make the most of the benefits of outdoor physical activity, some simple preventive measures will protect you from tick bites:

• Wear long pants, closed shoes and socks;

• Apply insect repellent containing DEET or icaridin;

• Take a shower as soon as you get home;

• Inspect your skin for ticks and remove them as soon as possible. The risk of disease transmission is very low if the tick is removed within 24 hours (Maladie de Lyme | Portail Santé Montérégie (santemonteregie.qc.ca).
  
  

What to do if you've been bitten?

• Call Info-Santé at 8-1-1 if you've been bitten by a tick. Consultation with a physician or pharmacist may be recommended to assess whether an antibiotic is indicated to prevent the disease;

• Consult a physician if you develop symptoms (redness on the skin measuring at least 5 cm, fever, headache, fatigue) within 30 days of a tick bite. Antibiotics are effective in treating the disease;

• Prevent ticks from settling near your home by mowing the lawn regularly, raking up leaves and debris, and creating a strip of mulch or gravel between activity or play areas and wooded areas.
  
  

For more information, visit www.maladiedeLymeMonteregie.com.