The Porcupine Health Unit is putting out the word to beware of Lyme disease this summer. The PHU has confirmed the presence of the black-legged tick which is known to carry the disease in the region. Doctor Lianne Catton says the area near Iroquois Falls and Cochrane has been identified as low-risk, but is asking residents to keep an eye out nonetheless. Wearing light coloured clothes, using insect repellent with DEET or Icaridin and checking yourself, your children and your pets will all go toward reducing your risk. The health unit is asking anyone who does find a tick on themselves or anyone else to remove it immediately and bring it to their local health unit for testing. Symptoms are flu-like and can take hold anywhere from three days to a month after a bite.
