May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month
As spring has begun, and warm weather is just around the corner, you may find yourself spending more time outdoors these days. With the warmer weather comes tick season. In efforts to bring awareness about Lyme Disease prevention, Warden Amanda Mombourquette, on behalf of Council, has proclaimed May to be Lyme Disease Awareness Month in Richmond County.
There are several kinds of ticks in Nova Scotia, but only the blacklegged tick carries the bacteria that causes Lyme disease. Blacklegged ticks are found throughout NovaScotia and all areas of the province are considered as having some risk of Lyme Disease. Ticks like moist and humid environments and can be found in or near woods, shrubs, leaf litter, long grass, urban parks and gardens. They are very small, which makes them hard to spot and their bites don’t hurt, which makes it difficult to know when you’ve been bitten.
Lyme Disease Petition
The Nova Scotia Lyme Advocacy Group has prepared a petition to be presented to the Nova Scotia government during the fall sitting.
PETITION – TICK-BORNE DISEASES IN NOVA SCOTIA DIAGNOSIS, TREATMENT, AWARENESS REQUIREMENTS
The three asks are:
- Adequate Education for all health care providers and residents.
- Development of a Dedicated Tick-Borne Diseases Care Clinic.
- Formation of a Non-Partisan Task Force, including those with lived experience.
If you or someone you know is interested in helping to obtain signatures please contact Donna Lugar at and the petition will be emailed to you to be printed off and photocopied.
Proclamation
WHEREAS Lyme disease is a serious illness caused by the bite of a black-legged tick infected with the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi: and
WHEREAS black-legged ticks carrying a variety of diseases or illnesses can now be found in all parts of Nova Scotia; and
WHEREAS awareness, education and practicing preventative measures, such as daily tick checks and proper tick removal, can help reduce your chances of contracting tick-borne diseases
THEREFORE, be it resolved that I, Warden Amanda Mombourquette, on behalf of the Municipality of the County of Richmond do hereby proclaim May 2024 as “Lyme Disease Awareness Month”.
Dated at Arichat, Nova Scotia this 22 day of April, 2024
Tick Check Basics
Check your body and clothing for ticks after spending time outside. Ticks like warm places o the body.
Check:
- in the hairline
- back of neck
- elbows
- back of knees
- back of ears
- waist
- groin
- between the toes
- don't forget to check your pets
- A bath or a shower within two hours of being outdoors makes it easier to spot ticks.
To learn how to reduce your risk by practising preventable measures such as daily tick checks, and proper tick removal, please visit the Government of Nova Scotia Safety Tips.