2023-06-16 22:44:21
Omnipresent in southern Quebec for several years now, these unwanted mites are increasingly numerous throughout Quebec, even in the north, such as Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean.
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For the first time in his career, pharmacist Kevin Girard had to reassure two customers bitten by ticks since the start of the hot season.
“They were a little panicked, a little stressed,” he explained. Even I did a little reading to fully understand the phenomenon and make sure I did it right. Global warming has something to do with it. It is a phenomenon that we did not see before but which migrates quietly towards the north.
There is no doubt for this health professional that ticks are indeed present in greater numbers in Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean.
Currently, only people who live in southern Quebec can benefit from preventive antibiotic treatment within 72 hours of being bitten by the tick.
“We might do it if the person arrives from southern Quebec and was bitten there, but not here, it is not yet considered relevant,” said Mr. Girard.
He invites the population to be vigilant, but recalls the importance of not being alarmed in the event of a bite.
“It is not because we have a tick bite that we will automatically develop Lyme disease, he assured. The odds are slim.”
If bitten, he suggests seeing a pharmacist and, if possible, saving the tick to help healthcare professionals assess the risk of Lyme disease infection.
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