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 May 13, 2010

The BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) is reminding people who will be spending time in

wooded areas or tall grass this summer to take sensible precautions to minimize the risk of tick-borne

infections, such as Lyme disease.

 “It is very important that British Columbians who spend time in high-risk outdoor areas follow the

simple steps necessary to prevent getting bitten by ticks, and are aware of the symptoms of possible

infections such as Lyme disease,” explains Dr. Bonnie Henry, physician epidemiologist at BCCDC,

an agency of the Provincial Services Health Authority. “Early symptoms of Lyme disease include a

‘bulls-eye’ rash, which spreads outward on the skin from the tick bite, as well as fever, headache,

and muscle and joint pain.”

 Although only a few varieties of ticks in BC carry bacteria that cause Lyme disease, many areas of

the province are affected by the disease, including Vancouver Island, the Lower Mainland,

the Sunshine Coast, the Fraser Valley and the Kootenays.

 BCCDC has been monitoring tick activity since 1993 and data suggests that the risk of contracting

Lyme disease in BC remains low. Ten cases were reported to BCCDC in 2009. It’s estimated that

more were diagnosed and treated by doctors around the province, but were not officially reported

to public health.

 “While there is a risk out there, Lyme disease is both preventable and treatable,”

says Dr. Muhammad Morshed, program head of Zoonotic and Emerging Pathogens with the

Public Health Laboratories at BCCDC. “Just a few simple steps can go a long way.

You could say it’s a combination of where you walk and play, and what you wear when doing so.”

 To help prevent tick bites:

 After being in an area that may harbour ticks, it’s also important to inspect your clothing and

your skin (as well as that of children and pets) for ticks. “If you see a tick that’s buried itself into

your skin, go to your family doctor and have it removed immediately,” says Morshed. “If visiting

your doctor isn’t possible, you can remove a tick yourself with tweezers, but be sure to remove

the whole tick while avoiding squeezing its body.”

 Ticks are small biting arachnids (related to scorpions, spiders and mites) that feed on blood.

Typically ticks hang on the tips of grasses or shrubs, and can be transferred to people or animals

as they brush past the vegetation. The ticks in BC that can transmit Lyme disease are the Western

black-legged tick (Ixodes pacificus) and, more rarely, other Ixodes species (I. angustus and I. auritulus).

 Lyme disease itself is caused by a bacterium, Borrelia burgdorferi, and was initially identified in Lyme,

Connecticut, in the 1970’s. Currently Lyme disease is found in parts of North America, Europe and a

few other areas in the world. If left untreated, Lyme disease can affect the joints, the heart and

the nervous system. Most cases of Lyme disease can be successfully treated with a few weeks

of antibiotics.

For more information on causes, risks, symptoms and treatment and prevention on

Lyme disease go to: 

BCCDC Lyme Disease page

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                                           It's still snowing at Hemlock!

                                                                                            (May 3, 2010)

          The Hiking Group will be getting back to their summer activities as soon as the trails clear of snow

                                                                                    for further information Contact Diana

                                                                                                diana_julien@shaw

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                                          The Hemlock Snowshoeing Club had a great guided trek on

                                          Saturday January 23rd, and on Saturday, February 20th.

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The hiking group has morphed into a snowshoe group

for the winter months but will be again going back to hiking in the spring.

Cost for a guided snowshoe trek is $39 (excluding rentals; ski passes work).

If you are interested, please email Diana at

diana_julien@shaw 

to be put on email distribution list.

Stay tuned as any new information, meeting times and locations

will be posted here as soon as they are available.

Hiking, a great way to get in shape and loose some weight 

                _______

       Always puts a smile on your face

Snowshoeing

A great way to meet new friends and learn more about your area