Canadian Cycling Magazine: Ticks and Lyme disease: What you need to know
With tick-borne illnesses on the rise in many parts of Canada, prevention is key for cyclists riding through the forest
by Anne Francis September 29, 2019
If you’ve ever had, or known someone who’s had Lyme disease, you know it’s no picnic–symptoms may resemble the flu (nausea, fever, chills, swollen glands, or a rash), and can be debilitating. And with tick-borne illnesses on the rise in many parts of Canada, it’s essential that runners take steps to protect themselves. Here’s what you need to know.
“Of the approximately 40 species of tick in Canada, only a few (e.g. the black-legged tick) can infect humans with Lyme, but this does not mean the risk is low if you regularly spend time riding trails through nature.
Luckily, Lyme disease (the scientific name is borreliosis) is highly treatable with antibiotics when diagnosed early. The problem with something that looks like flu is getting that early and accurate diagnosis.”