Lyme disease

The primary transmission vector for Lyme disease is the tick. There are several species of tick, but the main transmitters of Lyme disease and co-infections in Quebec are the blacklegged tick (Ixodes scapularis) and the Western blacklegged tick (Ixodes pacificus). These tick species feed on a variety of mammalian and avian hosts, including deer, rodents and bird species. By swallowing the blood of an affected animal, it can become contaminated with the various pathogens and in turn, infect the next host from which it draws blood through its saliva. An infected tick will also lay infected eggs, so any newborn ticks will also be contaminated.

Getting infected anywhere in Quebec is quite possible.

While there are endemic areas (areas where the risk of transmission is higher), the disease can be contracted anywhere across the province as a result of ticks carried by migratory birds (adventitious ticks). [1]

There are many situations in which you can contract Lyme disease: during an outing or a trip to the forest, sitting on the grass in your backyard, gardening, or trimming your shrubs. Even your pet can bring an infected tick inside your home.

Most Borrelia burgdorferi infections happen during the warmer months, but cases of Lyme disease have been reported year-round. Ticks can be active as soon as the temperature rises above 4 °C and there is no snow on the ground.

Preventive measures are crucial to avoid tick bites:

• Stay on marked trails to avoid exposure to environments conducive to ticks (tall grass, dead leaves in the woods, etc.).
• Use appropriate insect repellent during high-risk activities.
• Wear long, loose-fitting, light-coloured clothing. For best protection, sleeves should be closed at the wrists, shirts tucked into pants and socks pulled over pants.
• Perform a visual inspection of the skin after outdoor activity.

In America, Lyme disease is generally caused by a bacterium called Borrelia v, which is transmitted by an infected blacklegged tick. In medical terms, we often use “borreliosis.” It is the most widespread vector-borne disease in temperate climates. The CDC (Center for Disease Control) estimates that the number of diagnosed cases each year is over 300,000, excluding cases that fly under the radar of diagnostic tools.

Lyme disease takes its name from the town of Lyme in Connecticut. A major outbreak in 1975 affected nearly 51 people, who developed numerous symptoms: arthritis attacks, severe headaches, Bell’s palsy, chronic fatigue, and many others. In 1981, scientist Dr. Willy Burgdorfer discovered that the bacterium responsible for these symptoms was a form of tick-borne spirochaete. This bacterium was named in his honour: Borrelia burgdorferi.