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Outdoor Recreation and Tick Awareness

28 Jun 2017 4:54 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

To:                   CCH – Communities, Sport & Recreation Division

Recreation Nova Scotia

                        Sport Nova Scotia

Provincial Recreation Organizations

                        Provincial Sport Organizations

From:               Robin Norrie, Manager of Recreation – CCH

Re:                   Outdoor Recreation and Tick Awareness

Date:               June 27, 2017

 

As promoters of recreation/ outdoor recreation and encouraging people to re-connect with nature and deliverers and managers of outdoor events, programs and facilities including camps, trails, sport fields, etc , we need to be mindful of the fact that some barriers to this include fear of and potential for ticks and tick bites.  Incidents and reported cases are up significantly in Nova Scotia in the last five years. (see map below)

 

According to Department of Health & Wellness (DHW) information, there are several things that can be done to reduce this risk and thus reduce the fear that can become a barrier to people getting outside.

 

We are sharing this information with you now so that you may circulate and share within your networks.  

According to the DHW news release in May 2017, Tick checks are the most important defense against the spread of tick-borne illness.  (https://novascotia.ca/news/release/?id=20170518005 )

 

To avoid ticks take the following precautions when in areas with long grass, shrubs or woods:
-- wear light coloured, long-sleeved shirts, pants and socks so ticks are more visible
-- wear enclosed shoes
-- pull socks up over pant legs and tuck in shirts
-- spray clothing and exposed skin with an insect repellant containing DEET or Icaridin
-- check clothing and exposed skin for ticks after working or playing outside and remove any ticks attached to the skin
-- check pets thoroughly for ticks after spending time outside
-- when possible, take a bath or shower within two hours of coming indoors. This makes it easier to find ticks and washes away loose ones
-- keep grass well cut to minimize suitable habitat for ticks on your property.

Remove ticks as soon as they are found to prevent or reduce the risk of infection.  For more information about ticks and how to treat tick bites please visit:

 

For more information, visit http://novascotia.ca/dhw/CDPC/lyme.asp

 

The website also provides accurate information about ticks and tick-borne diseases, appropriate prevention measures, a short video and links to resources (brochures, posters) that can be used.

 

Link to information pamphlet: http://www.novascotia.ca/dhw/cdpc/documents/06037_lymedisease_pamphlet_en.pdf   

 

Also here is the link to contact information for all Public Health Offices throughout the province.

http://www.nshealth.ca/public-health-offices   (also see full list below)

 

We hope that you find this information helpful. If you have additional questions, please contact your local Public Health office.

 


 

News release:

Nova Scotians Reminded to be Tick-aware

Department of Health and Wellness

May 18, 2017 12:34 PM0

Nova Scotians are encouraged to enjoy the outdoors safely by learning to avoid the blacklegged tick bites that can cause Lyme disease.

Blacklegged ticks are found throughout Nova Scotia. Tick checks are the most important defence against the spread of tick-borne illness.

To avoid ticks take the following precautions when in areas with long grass, shrubs or woods:
-- wear light coloured, long-sleeved shirts, pants and socks so ticks are more visible
-- wear enclosed shoes
-- pull socks up over pant legs and tuck in shirts
-- spray clothing and exposed skin with an insect repellant containing DEET or Icaridin
-- check clothing and exposed skin for ticks after working or playing outside and remove any ticks attached to the skin
-- check pets thoroughly for ticks after spending time outside
-- when possible, take a bath or shower within two hours of coming indoors. This makes it easier to find ticks and washes away loose ones
-- keep grass well cut to minimize suitable habitat for ticks on your property.

Remove ticks as soon as they are found to prevent or reduce the risk of infection. To remove a tick safely carefully grasp it with tweezers. Get as close to the skin as possible. Gently and slowly pull the tick straight out. Do not jerk, twist or squeeze it. Wash the site with soap and water. Disinfect with rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide to avoid other infections.

Blacklegged ticks must be attached to the skin for at least 36 hours to transmit the bacterial infection that causes Lyme disease.

Lyme disease is treatable with antibiotics. The earliest and most common symptom of Lyme disease is a bullseye rash at the site of the bite, although the rash is not always in this shape. Other symptoms include fever, fatigue, muscle aches and headaches. Anyone who has been in areas with long grass, shrubs or woods and has these symptoms should seek medical attention.

For more information, visit http://novascotia.ca/dhw/CDPC/lyme.asp.


 

Public Health Offices in Nova Scotia

If you have additional questions, please contact your local Public Health office.

 

Amherst

18 South Albion Street

Amherst, NS B4H 2V5

Canada

Phone: (902) 667-3319, (800) 767-3319

Fax: (902) 667-2273

Annapolis Royal

Annapolis Community Health Centre

821 St. George Street

Annapolis Royal, NS B0S 1A0

Canada

Phone: (902) 532-0490

Fax: (902) 532-2113

Antigonish

23 Bay Street, Suite 2N

Antigonish, NS B2G 2G7

Canada

Phone: (902) 867-4500 x4800

Fax: (902) 863-7476

Baddeck

Victoria County Memorial Hospital

30 Old Margaree Road

Baddeck, NS B0E 1B0

Canada

Phone: (902) 295-2178

Fax: (902) 295-3822

Barrington Passage

3695 Highway 3

Barrington Passage, NS B0W 1G0

Canada

Phone: (902) 637-2430

Fax: (902) 637-3358

Berwick

Western Kings Memorial Health Centre

121 Orchard Street

Berwick, NS B0P 1E0

Canada

Phone: (902) 538-3700

Fax: (902) 538-0770

Bridgewater

215 Dominion Street Suite 200

Bridgewater, NS B4V 2K7

Canada

Phone: (902) 543-0850

Fax: (902) 543-8024

Canso

Eastern Memorial Hospital

1746 Union Street

Canso, NS B0H 1H0

Canada

Phone: (902) 366-2925

Fax: (902) 366-2900

Chester

3769 Hwy 3

Chester, NS B0J 1J0

Canada

Phone: (902) 275-3581

Fax: (902) 275-1337

Cheticamp

Sacred Heart Community Health Centre

15102 Cabot Trail

Cheticamp, NS B0E 1H0

Canada

Phone: (902) 224-2410

Fax: (902) 224-2903

Dartmouth

7 Mellor Ave, Unit 5

Dartmouth, NS B3B 0E8

Canada

Phone: (800) 430-9557, (902) 481-5800

Fax: (902) 481-8928

Digby

Digby General Hospital

75 Warwick Street 1st Floor

Digby, NS B0V 1A0

Canada

Phone: (902) 245-2557

Fax: (902) 245-1302

Elmsdale

15 Commerce Court

Suite 150

Elmsdale, NS B2S 3K5

Canada

Phone: (902) 883-3500

Fax: (902) 883-3400

Glace Bay

Senator’s Place

633 Main Street, Ground Floor

Glace Bay, NS B1A 6J3

Canada

Phone: (902) 842-4050

Fax: (902) 842-4004

Guysborough

Guysborough Hospital

10506 Highway 16

Guysborough, NS B0H 1N0

Canada

Phone: (902) 533-3502

Fax: (902) 533-2167

Inverness

Inverness Consolidated Memorial Hospital

39 James Street

Inverness, NS B0E 1N0

Canada

Phone: (902) 258-1920

Fax: (902) 258-2721

Liverpool

Queen’s General Hospital

175 School Street

Liverpool, NS B0T 1K0

Canada

Phone: (902) 354-5737

Fax: (902) 354-5702

Lunenburg

250 Green Street

Lunenburg, NS B0J 2C0

Canada

Phone: (902) 634-4014

Fax: (902) 634-7024

Meteghan Centre

Clare Health Centre

8559 Highway 1

Meteghan Centre, NS B0W 2J0

Canada

Phone: (902) 645-2325

Fax: (902) 645-3356

Middleton

Soldier’s Memorial Hospital

462 Main Street

Middleton, NS B0S 1P0

Canada

Phone: (902) 825-3385

Fax: (902) 825-5118

Neil’s Harbour

Buchanan Memorial Community Health Centre

32610 Cabot Trail

Neil's Harbour, NS B0C 1N0

Canada

Phone: (902) 336-2295

Fax: (902) 336-2202

New Germany

New Germany and Area Medical Centre

100 Varner Road

New Germany, NS B0R 1E0

Canada

Phone: (902) 644-2710

Fax: (902) 644-2710

New Glasgow

Community Health Centre

690 East River Road

New Glasgow, NS B2H 3S1

Canada

Phone: (902) 752-5151

Fax: (902) 755-7175

New Waterford

New Waterford Consolidated Hospital

716 King Street

New Waterford, NS B1H 3Z5

Canada

Phone: (902) 862-2204

Fax: (902) 862-3155

Port Hawkesbury

708 Reeves Street, Unit 3

Port Hawkesbury, NS B9A 2S1

Canada

Phone: (902) 625-1693

Fax: (902) 625-4091

Sheet Harbour

Eastern Shore Memorial Hospital

22637 Highway 7

Sheet Harbour, NS B0J 3B0

Canada

Phone: (902) 885-2470

Fax: (902) 885-4017

Shelburne

Roseway Hospital

1606 Lake Road

Shelburne, NS B0T 1W0

Canada

Phone: (902) 875-2623

Fax: (902) 875-4502

Sydney

235 Townsend Street

2nd Floor

Sydney, NS B1P 5E7

Canada

Phone: (902) 563-2400

Fax: (902) 563-0508

Sydney Mines

7 Fraser Avenue

Sydney Mines, NS B1V 2B8

Canada

Phone: (902) 736-6245

Fax: (902) 736-7909

Truro

Colchester East Hants Health Centre

600 Abenaki Road Level 1/Wing B

Truro, NS B2N 0C4

Canada

Phone: (902) 893-5820

Fax: (902) 893-5839

Windsor

Hants Community Hospital

89 Payzant Drive

Windsor, NS B0N 2T0

Canada

Phone: (902) 798-2264

Fax: (902) 798-5922

Wolfville

Eastern Kings Memorial Community Health Centre

23 Earnscliffe Avenue

Wolfville, NS B4P 1X4

Canada

Phone: (902) 542-6310

Fax: (902) 542-6333

Yarmouth

Yarmouth Regional Hospital

60 Vancouver Street, 4th Floor, Building B

Yarmouth, NS B5A 2P4

Canada

Phone: (902) 742-7141

Fax: (902) 742-6062


 

 

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