Ticks and Lyme disease: What is it and how can I protect myself?

As the warm weather lures Ottawans into the great outdoors, protecting against Lyme disease and the tiny creatures that carry it might not be top of mind. But in 2017, there were 186 confirmed or probable cases of the disease in Ottawa, nearly double what was reported by Ottawa Public Health the year before.
Because awareness is key to preventing what can develop into serious illness, here’s what you need to know about ticks and Lyme disease before you head into the wild — or yo