By D'Arcy Hutton
Lyme hotspot or wanderer's paradise -- can the woods and meadows be both? How can we stay safe from Lyme disease?
A discussion of hazards is one of the first conversations we undertake with participants at the beginning of a program. A thorough knowledge of the dangers of one's place is enormously empowering and can reduce the dread factor while increasing our ability to stay safe. Lyme disease is, arguably, one of the most serious hazards we face in Eastern Canada while enjoying and connecting with wild spaces, though for many of us it is a vague and unknown specter. We know we don't like it, and that we don't want it, and maybe our neighbor's dog has it, but we're not sure what it means for us.
Unfortunately, the incidence of Lyme in Ontario is projected to increase with the progression of time, the advancement of climate change, and the alteration of ecologies. The danger of Lyme is growing, and our understanding of both Lyme and tick ecology must outpace the danger if we are to stay healthy. This will be a fairly basic introduction to Lyme, and an explanation of tick-borne disease prevention strategy.
Lyme infection is a dreadful prospect. The full possibilities and ramifications of Lyme infection is a topic for another post, as is a full exploration of tick natural history. Suffice to say that it can have lifelong health implications, and causes some who are infected considerable physical pain, years-long disruptions in their life's path, and serious mental health issues. It is also important to emphasize that forsaking the woods does not mean that you will be safe from Lyme. Ticks make it into our homes on pets, clothing, and other family members.
So, what do we want? More information! When do we want it? Now! Should we stay out of the woods? Absolutely not! Should we stop taking naps in deer beds? Maybe!...Probably!...That's weird! Knowledge is power, everyone, so bear with me as I undertake this initial foray into the world of Lyme.
Unfortunately, the incidence of Lyme in Ontario is projected to increase with the progression of time, the advancement of climate change, and the alteration of ecologies. The danger of Lyme is growing, and our understanding of both Lyme and tick ecology must outpace the danger if we are to stay healthy. This will be a fairly basic introduction to Lyme, and an explanation of tick-borne disease prevention strategy.
Lyme infection is a dreadful prospect. The full possibilities and ramifications of Lyme infection is a topic for another post, as is a full exploration of tick natural history. Suffice to say that it can have lifelong health implications, and causes some who are infected considerable physical pain, years-long disruptions in their life's path, and serious mental health issues. It is also important to emphasize that forsaking the woods does not mean that you will be safe from Lyme. Ticks make it into our homes on pets, clothing, and other family members.
So, what do we want? More information! When do we want it? Now! Should we stay out of the woods? Absolutely not! Should we stop taking naps in deer beds? Maybe!...Probably!...That's weird! Knowledge is power, everyone, so bear with me as I undertake this initial foray into the world of Lyme.
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