Lyme disease confirmed in local tick

A case of lyme disease has been confirmed in Peterborough.

Peterborough Public Health reported the lab-confirmed discovery Thursday after a person submitted a tick for study. The disease is transmitted through ticks.

The tick’s exact origin is unknown but it could have come from southern Peterborough County or northern Northumberland County, according to a release from the health unit.

Ticks can be as small as a sesame seed and their bites may be painless.

From PPH: “If you do locate a tick on your body, use finetipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to your skin as possible and pull the tick straight out. Save the tick in an empty screw-top bottle or zipper-closed bag and take it to Peterborough Public Health located at 185 King St., Peterborough. The tick will then be sent away to a public health laboratory for identification. A tick can be submitted to Peterborough Public Health Monday to Friday between the hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.”

PPH will test ticks found on humans, but not on pets. Those should be taken to a vet.

Ticks live in tall grasses and wooded areas. To avoid bites, wear DEET and spray it on your clothes, wear light-coloured clothing with long sleeves and legs and tuck pantlegs into your socks. Always check for ticks when you come inside. Showers help get them off your body.

Lyme disease often first appears as a circular rash, and can include fever, chills, muscle and joint pain, fatigue and swollen lymph nodes.

For more information, visit www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca, click on My Home and Environment and go to Lyme disease. You can also call 705-7431000, ext. 240.