Media Advisory: Health officials to present information about blacklegged ticks and Lyme disease in Toronto
May 15, 2019
Health officials to present information about blacklegged ticks and Lyme disease in Toronto
Toronto Public Health will hold a media event tomorrow at Morningside Park to describe the City’s blacklegged tick surveillance activities and provide tips to help Torontonians avoid contracting Lyme disease. The event will include a demonstration of “dragging” for the collection of blacklegged ticks.
Associate Medical Officer of Health Dr. Christine Navarro will talk about the tick surveillance program after Board of Health Chair Joe Cressy (Councillor Ward 10 Spadina-Fort York) provides general remarks about this health issue. Councillor Paul Ainslie (Ward 24 Scarborough-Guildwood) will attend as the local community’s representative.
Date: Thursday, May 16
Time: 10 a.m.
Location: Morningside Park, 390 Morningside Ave.
The vehicle entrance to the park is on the west side of Morningside Avenue between Ellesmere Avenue and Lawrence Avenue. The event will be held adjacent to the second parking lot in from the street.
Note: Due to technical limitations of the location, a City media feed and amplification will not be available. Microphones and recording equipment can be placed directly on the podium. This site is an established location for blacklegged ticks and attendees are advised to wear long pants, long sleeves and proper footwear (such as closed-toe, flat-sole shoes).
Interview opportunities will be available with experts on:
• Toronto Public Health’s blacklegged tick surveillance program
• Lyme disease prevention tips
• safe removal of ticks
Lyme disease, an illness caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, can be spread through the bite of an infected blacklegged tick. Although the overall risk of becoming infected in Toronto is believed to be low, taking appropriate precautions can help lower the risk of getting bitten by a tick.