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The risk of Lyme disease exposure is highest in areas where ticks are established, including parts of British Columbia, southern Manitoba, southern Ontario and Nova Scotia. However, tick populations are known to be spreading in Canada. Here are some tips from the Public Health Agency of Canada for avoiding bites in prime tick habitats - wooded areas and tall grass.

Enlarge Photo

The Canadian Press

female deer tick

* Wear light-coloured, long-sleeved shirts and pants to better see ticks. Tuck shirts into pants, pull socks up over pant legs. Wear shoes that cover entire foot. Avoid sandals.

* Spray clothing and exposed skin with insect repellent containing DEET.

* After finishing outdoor activity, check clothing and entire body for attached ticks. Nymphs can be the size of a pinhead, while adults are larger. Prime areas for bites include the back of the knee, armpit and groin.

* If you find a tick attached to skin, use tweezers to remove it. Grasp tick's head and mouth parts as close to skin as possible and slowly pull until tick is removed. Avoid twisting, rotating or crushing insect during removal.

* After extracting tick, wash bite site with soap and water, followed by alcohol or household disinfectant if desired.

* Save tick in empty pill vial or doubled zip-lock bag. If you develop symptoms of Lyme disease, the insect can be sent for testing to help diagnosis.

* Contact your health provider immediately if you develop a rash or other symptoms.

* Keep grass on property cut to reduce habitat for ticks. Check pets regularly for ticks.

Some facts about Lyme disease:

CAUSE: Infection with Borrelia burgdorferi, a corkscrew-shaped bacterium transmitted by some black-legged or Western black-legged ticks.

SYMPTOMS: In 70 to 80 per cent of cases, a bull's eye-shaped rash develops at site of tick bite after three to 30 days.

Early stage: Fatigue, chills, fever, headache, swollen lymph nodes, muscle and joint pain. Stage 2: Left untreated, the disease can cause migraines, weakness, multiple skin rashes, painful or stiff joints, abnormal heartbeat and extreme fatigue. Stage 3: If the disease continues to progress, symptoms can include chronic arthritis and neurological symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, numbness and paralysis.

TREATMENT: Antibiotics. Full recovery more likely when treatment begins in early stages. Undiagnosed Lyme disease may develop into a chronic illness difficult to treat.