Public health officials are urging residents to take precautions against tick bites as warmer weather increases the risk of exposure to Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses across Renfrew County and District.
The Renfrew County and District Health Unit says blacklegged ticks, also known as deer ticks, are becoming more widespread throughout the region. The ticks can carry Lyme disease, the most commonly reported tick-borne illness in Ontario.
The health unit recorded 79 cases of Lyme disease in 2025, the highest annual total on record. Local rates have exceeded the provincial average every year since 2020 and have been more than three times the provincial average over the past two years.
Health officials say the range of blacklegged ticks continues to expand northwest along the Ottawa River. Established risk areas include communities from Arnprior to Chalk River, as well as Calabogie and Eganville.
However, officials note ticks may also be found in wooded and grassy areas outside those communities as their habitat continues to spread. The expansion is consistent with a broader trend seen across Ontario and eastern Canada that researchers have linked to changing climate conditions.
According to the health unit, an infected blacklegged tick typically must remain attached for at least 24 hours before transmitting Lyme disease. Prompt removal can significantly reduce the risk of infection.
Symptoms can develop between three and 30 days after a bite and may include an expanding skin rash, fever, chills, headache, fatigue, and joint or muscle pain.
Health officials are encouraging anyone who develops symptoms after a tick bite to seek medical attention and advise healthcare providers of possible tick exposure. Lyme disease can be treated effectively, particularly when diagnosed early.
Residents can reduce their risk by wearing long sleeves and pants when outdoors, using insect repellents containing DEET or Icaridin, performing tick checks after spending time in wooded or grassy areas, and showering soon after returning indoors.
Anyone who finds a tick can submit it to the health unit for identification or use eTick.ca, an online service that identifies ticks from photographs and supports tick surveillance efforts across Canada.
(Steve Berard)
