SUMMER MODE

By Maurice Brenner Regional Councillor Ward 1 Pickering Now into full summer mode, its time to spend more time outdoors, Be it a dog walker, hiker or an explorer, while enjoying this time of the year beware of those potential risks to your health. This weeks column will provide you with a look inside the Region of Durham’s Public Health Department and the role they play, offering programs and services as well as the managing and control of diseases that we unknowingly can be exposed to while enjoying the summer outdoors. Ticks and Lyme Disease Like many diseases Lyme disease can be treated but not cured, which is why it is important when outdoors this time of the year to take the necessary precautions. Wear light clothing, covering as once skin as possible. Ticks neither fly nor jump but transfer from long grass areas and or overhanging trees to their host. Some are the size of a sesame seed and hard to see. Once home its important to remove your cloths for immediate hot water washing and take a shower, checking your body as you wash. Should you feel an area where you have already been bitten, you need to remove the tick gently with fine tipped tweezers. (Durham Region Public Health does provide Tick Kit Tweezers at No Charge) There is no shortage of wrong information floating around, never try burning the area with a hot match nor spraying it with insect repellent. These practises not only will not work, but could harm you. Once you have been bitten, it is important to contact your doctor or if that is not possible a pharmacist that has been granted Ministry of Health approval to administer treatment. This must be done with in 24 hours. Assume the worse and advise them you have have been bitten and believe it could carry Lyme disease. Municipalities such as Pickering are working with Regional Public Health, signs are bposted along many trail entrances reminding those using the trails of risks along with a QR code to Regional Public Health for more information. Also as a prevention buffer zones of 3 metres cut backs are required along public walkways abutting Municipal or Regional Properties. Mosquitos and West Nile Virus Durham Region has been tracking and responding to the risk of West Nile virus as far back as 2003 when the Province of Ontario began funding the program. 76% of all reported cases occur between July to September. However with current impacts of Global warming risks can be increased throughout the year. The Durham Regional Heath Health Department conducts surveillance and control activities for West Nile virus by larviciding road side catch basin, stagnant surface water sites, trapping adult mosquitoes and sending them for testing and identification and investigating reported human cases. While numbers have decreased over the years Regional Public health recommend prevention as the best defence. When walking at dusk or dawn (most prevalent times of risk) to wear long sleeve shirts, long pants and covered shoes as well as spraying your clothes with an insect repellent. On your own property eliminate stagnant water. Should you notice stagnant water on private property or municipal property, including Conservation lands and Hydro corridors report it to your Municipality. Municipal Bylaw officers work as a team with Regional Public Health to ensure that the area is treated with larvicide while the Bylaw team will work with the property owner to remedy the situation which could mean pumping out the stagnant water or cutting the long grass and weeds.