Lyme Disease

Lyme disease is an infection caused by the bacteria, Borrelia burgdorferi. In Ontario, these bacteria are spread by the bite of blacklegged ticks, Ixodes scapularis. The blacklegged tick can be found sporadically throughout the province. However, since 2005, Ontario has seen an increase in both human cases of Lyme disease and in the numbers and range of blacklegged ticks, especially in Southern Ontario. This is due, at least partly, to climate change. Conditions favorable for ticks, are getting seasonally longer and are moving farther north into regions of Ontario. Ticks that carry Lyme Disease are out there, and you need to know how to stay safe and not get bit.

You can learn how to protect yourself and your family by visiting the following related links:

Information for the public:

Information for professionals:

http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/ms/lyme/pro/

West Nile virus

The West Nile virus (WNv) is a mosquito-borne virus, infection may result in no symptoms, in mild illness such as West Nile fever, or in serious neurological illness such as encephalitis. The virus was named after the West Nile region of Uganda, where the virus first appeared in 1937.

West Nile virus is spread to humans by the bite of an infected mosquito. Mosquitoes become infected when they bite an infected bird. The virus is not spread by person to person contact.

You can also learn how to protect yourself and your family by visiting the following related links:

Last reviewed: April 1, 2011

Key Links:

Lyme Disease

West Nile virus