Sask. residents encouraged to take precautions heading into tick season
As the weather gets warmer, the province is reminding people to take precautions to reduce their exposure to ticks.
"As we head outside to start enjoying the warmer weather, it is important to protect ourselves from the potential risk of tick bites," Medical Officer of Health Deputy Chief Dr. Julie Kryzanowski said in a news release from the province.
"By taking simple precautions, we can protect ourselves and our families when enjoying time outdoors.”
To prevent tick bites, the Ministry of Health recommends that people:
- Wear light-coloured clothes so ticks can be easily seen
- Wear pants, long-sleeved shirts, and shoes that don’t expose bare feet
- Pull their socks over their pant legs to prevent ticks from crawling up legs
- Use insect repellents that contain DEET or Icaridin on clothes and skin
- Shower or bathe as soon as possible after being outside
In Saskatchewan, the risk of exposure to Lyme disease is low, as most ticks found in the province are the American dog tick or wood tick, the release said. That species is active from mid-April to the end of July and doesn’t transmit the disease.
The presence of blacklegged ticks, which can cause Lyme disease, was discovered in Saskatchewan in 2023, but the province said there is no evidence of a reproducing blacklegged tick population at this time.
If a tick is found, it should be removed right away using fine-tipped tweezers. Once the tick has been removed, it is recommended that the area be washed with soap and water and then disinfected with rubbing alcohol or an iodine swab.
There is an online system that people can submit photographs to, to get identification of the type of tick they see. It is recommended that the tick is kept in a secure container and stored in the freezer while awaiting results, in case administrators request more information.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Three dead, two hospitalized, following collision in Fredericton: police
Three people are dead following a collision in Fredericton Sunday morning.
Madonna's biggest-ever concert transforms Rio's Copacabana beach into a massive dance floor
Madonna put on a free concert on Copacabana beach Saturday night, turning Rio de Janeiro's vast stretch of sand into an enormous dance floor teeming with a multitude of her fans.
‘Love has no boundaries’: Sask. couple in their 90s and 80s get married
Eighty-two-year-old Susan Neufeldt and 90-year-old Ulrich Richter are no spring chickens, but their love blossomed over the weekend with their wedding at Pine View Manor just outside of Rosthern.
Video shows gaggle of geese stopping traffic on Highway 1 near Vancouver
A mother goose and her goslings caused a bit of a traffic jam on a busty stretch of the Trans-Canada Highway near Vancouver Saturday.
Chemical spill could be cause of stinky water in Puslinch, Ont., new report says
People living in Puslinch, Ont. may have the answer to why their water smelled so bad last year.
Montreal man on the hook for thousands of dollars after a feature on his Tesla caused an accident
A Montreal man is warning Tesla drivers about using the Smart Summon feature after his vehicle hit another in a parking lot.
Should you save or splurge on makeup this summer?
If you're wondering whether you should splurge or save when it comes to buying skincare products and makeup this summer, we got some answers for you.
William Shatner says he would consider 'Star Trek' return: 'Here comes Captain Kirk!'
The Montreal-born actor, famed for his portrayal of Captain Kirk in "Star Trek," says he is open to reprising the iconic role in the sci-fi franchise as long as the storytelling is stellar.
One dead after potential wrong way crash on Highway 401 in Milton: OPP
One person is dead and another is in life-threatening condition after a driver was travelling in the wrong direction on Highway 401 in Milton Sunday, according to police.