Manitoba Health - Tick-borne Diseases

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​Reportable and Emerging Tick-borne diseases in Manitoba​
Lyme Disease (Borrelia Burgdorferi), Babesiosis & Anaplasmosis are currently reportable.  Emerging tick-borne diseases include Borrelia Miyamotoi, Borrelia Mayonii and Powassan Virus.  Please note that ticks can transmit other infections and diseases that are not reportable including parasites.  For more information Manitoba Health by clicking here:  Resources - Tick-Borne Diseases | Health and Seniors Care | Province of Manitoba (gov.mb.ca)
Manitoba Health Reported Cases   ​​​Manitoba Health information on reported cases in Manitoba 
(These are those only diagnosed thru the Canadian testing system, so the cases are higher than shown.)

Lyme Disease Risk Areas and Blacklegged Tick Surveillance in Manitoba.
Visit the Manitoba Health Website for the most current surveillance Map of Manitoba.

Manitobans can submit blacklegged ticks as part of the Blacklegged Tick and Lyme Disease Surveillance Program. Individuals are encouraged to submit ticks during the surveillance campaign.  See Manitoba Health website for more details.  

Manitobans can submit images of blacklegged or other collected tick species using the eTick platform. Access to the platform and links to mobile eTick application in Google Play or App store are available here. Further instructions, including details on suitable images, are available on the eTick website or app.
Please note that the blacklegged tick surveillance program is NOT meant to inform clinical diagnosis of tick-borne diseases in people or pets.)
 
Other: From Manitoba Health Resources - Tick-Borne Diseases | Health and Seniors Care | Province of Manitoba (gov.mb.ca)

• Etick platform
• Tick-borne Diseases & Children
• Tick Bite Prevention, Tick Checks & Tick Removal Postcard
• Tick Bite Prevention & Tick Removal – Quick Reference Card
• Landscape Tricks to Reduce Ticks​ ​

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How To Remove a Tick

Method 1:  Tick-Removal Tool/Kit  If you already have a pair of fine pointed tweezers, and a steady hand, you can grasp the mouthparts of the tick, NOT the body of the tick, and slowly pull the tick straight out.
Watch tick removal video.
Remember that the skin may be swollen around the site of the tick attachment so if you’re not sure what you’re doing, you may prefer to use a specially designed tool. The Canlyme Tick Kits contain three types of tick remover tools.

Method 2:  ​Straw and Knot  The ‘straw and knot’ method is an elegant, easy, effective, low technology tick removal method.
Camping and hiking are high-risk activities for encountering ticks, so remember to pack a straw and thread (or thin dental floss) next time you head into the woods.

1. Place an ordinary drinking straw at a 45-degree angle over the tick. (The straw is simply being used as a guide to direct the knot).
2. Take a length of thread (or dental floss) and tie a loose knot at the top or midsection of the straw.
3. Slide your knot down the straw to where the tick is attached.
4. Position the knot underneath the tick’s belly, so that the knot will encircle the embedded mouthparts only.
5. Slowly tighten the knot to close snugly around the mouthparts of the tick.
6. Remove the straw and pull the thread in a steady upward motion.
7. This will cause the tick to detach, but should inhibit regurgitation of bacteria that may be in the midgut.

Watch ‘Straw and Knot’ tick removal video
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​Method 3: Intradermal Blister  If you’re close to a doctor’s office:

1. A doctor can inject Xylocaine into the skin below where the tick has attached.
2. A large Xylocaine-filled blister will form.
3. After tasting the Xylocaine, the tick should release its grip and back out on its own in order to search for a ‘better-tasting’ host.

Watch ‘Intradermal Blister’ tick removal video

​Tick Removal Kits – Tick Removal Kits are available from the Canadian Lyme Foundation.  Visit www.canlyme.com

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Lyme Prevention

​Lyme Disease is preventable.  By taking the right precautions and spreading the word, you can effectively protect your family from Lyme. The best way to prevent infection is to avoid tick-infested areas whenever possible, particularly in spring and early summer when nymph ticks feed.  Adult ticks are a bigger threat in the fall.  Ticks favour leafy wooded areas and overgrown grassy habitats.

Tips to Prevention
  Wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts. Tuck your pants into your socks to prevent ticks from getting inside your pants.
-  Check your clothing for ticks often.  Ticks will climb upwards until they find an area of exposed skin.
-  Wear light coloured clothing to make it easier to spot ticks.
-  Walk in the middle of pathways or trails when possible. Avoid low-lying brush or long grass.
-  Apply insect repellant to your skin and clothing, especially at the openings such as ankles, wrist and neck.

MOST IMPORTANT - do a tick check after being outdoors.  Ticks thrive in moist environments. It is important to check: 
    - between the toes
    - behind the knees
    - private areas
    - armpits
    - belly buttons
    - in the ears
    - nape of the neck
    - in the hair

If you suspect you may have a tick-borne disease, please seek medical help immediately because the best chance of regaining your health is in the early stages.  Please visit our Diagnosis page for some helpful links including the Physicians letter to take in to your doctor.