The wooden trails and grassy meadows of Windsor-Essex’s public parks have become the frontline in a crucial public health initiative this spring. The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit (WECHU) has officially launched its annual tick surveillance program, deploying environmental health specialists to monitor the presence and prevalence of ticks that could potentially carry Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses.
Under the warm May sunshine yesterday, health unit staff could be seen methodically dragging white flannel cloths through the underbrush at Malden Park, one of the 14 designated surveillance sites across the region. The distinctive white cloths, which mimic the passing of animals or humans, allow ticks to attach, providing health officials with specimens for identification and testing.
“The surveillance data we collect is invaluable for understanding tick populations and potential disease risk in our community,” explained Dr. Mehdi Aloosh, Medical Officer of Health for Windsor-Essex. “With climate change expanding the habitable range for black-legged ticks in particular, this annual program has become increasingly important for public health planning.”
The health unit’s surveillance program, which runs from May through October, represents a proactive approach to monitoring tick-borne disease risk. According to WECHU’s environmental health department, tick submissions from the public have steadily increased over the past five years, with black-legged ticks (Ixodes scapularis) – the primary vector for Lyme disease – becoming more common in the region.
“We’re seeing a northward migration of tick species that previously couldn’t survive our winters,” noted Janet Mcormond, manager of environmental health at WECHU. “Our surveillance helps us track these changes and adapt our public health messaging accordingly.”
For residents of Windsor-Essex, the surveillance program offers practical benefits beyond data collection. The health unit uses findings to create detailed risk maps and targeted education campaigns, helping locals understand where and when tick encounters are most likely.
Local parks included in the surveillance program include Holiday Beach Conservation Area, Gesstwood Camp and Education Centre, and Chrysler Greenway Trail in Essex, locations chosen based on habitat suitability for ticks and patterns of human use. The Canada News section of our website contains additional details about the surveillance locations.
The health unit is also encouraging residents to practice tick safety when enjoying outdoor activities. Recommendations include wearing light-colored clothing that covers arms and legs, using insect repellent containing DEET or icaridin, performing tick checks after outdoor activities, and promptly removing any attached ticks.
“A thorough tick check should become as routine as applying sunscreen when you’re spending time outdoors in tick season,” Dr. Aloosh emphasized. “Prompt removal of ticks significantly reduces the risk of disease transmission.”
Residents who find ticks on themselves or pets are encouraged to safely remove them using fine-tipped tweezers, clean the bite area, and submit the tick to the health unit for identification. WECHU offers an online submission form and drop-off options at their offices.
The increasing prevalence of ticks in Southern Ontario raises important questions about how communities should adapt to changing ecological realities. As our climate continues to warm and tick habitats expand northward, will public health surveillance programs need to evolve beyond seasonal monitoring to year-round vigilance?
