A local health unit's warning to beware ticks as it's confirmed a human case of Lyme disease.
Public Health Sudbury and Districts says laboratory results have confirmed an adult tested positive for the disease - which can cause serious complications to the heart, joints, and nervous system - likely locally acquired in the Sudbury East area.
While it emphasizes that "reports of locally acquired Lyme disease remain uncommon", the health unit warns "people need to protect themselves when enjoying the outdoors", recommending measures to protect yourself from ticks, including: avoiding walking in tall grass; clearing debris and overgrown vegetation, grass, bushes, and trees from yards; keeping wood piles or bird feeders away from homes; and wearing long-sleeved, light-coloured clothes with closed-toe shoes, as well as Health Canada-approved insect repellants.
Signs of Lyme disease include a red bull's eye-shaped rash around the bite area, as well as symptoms such as fever, headache, muscle and joint pain, fatigue, stiff neck, and swollen glands.