Lyme disease takes its name from where it was first identified: Lyme, Connecticut. It is the most common tick-borne disease in North America. It can cause serious, long term disability if left untreated. Early antibiotic treatment is essential, so identification of the disease in its early stages is very important.

To protect yourself against tick and insect bites:

• Walk on cleared trails wherever possible when walking in tall grass or woods.
• Wear light coloured clothing, tuck your top into your pants and tuck your pants into your boots or socks.
• Put insect repellent containing DEET on all uncovered skin. Reapply as frequently as directed on the container.
• Check clothing and scalp (covered or not) when leaving an area where ticks may live.
• Check in folds of skin. Have someone help you check hard-to-see areas. When a tick is located, remove it immediately. Check the whole body! Don't stop when you find one tick. There may be more. Make sure the lighting is good so that you will not miss seeing the ticks.
• Regularly check household pets for ticks.