Lyme disease is growing in Quebec

Archival Photo, QMI Agency

Antoine Lacroix

Thursday, 27 July 2017 21:20

UPDATE
Thursday, 27 July 2017 21:20

Look at this article

Lyme disease progresses in Québec, as more cases were reported in 2017 compared to last year at the same date, reports the ministry of Health and social Services.

• Read also : It creates an application to identify the ticks

At this moment, there are 65 cases of Lyme disease so that there were 43 at the same date in 2016. The ministry of Health (MSSS) states that the average from 2012 to 2016 of cases reported to this date is 27.

Finally, 179 cases of Lyme disease had been reported in 2016. This number could be expected to increase in 2017.

“There are more reported cases is that there is more of a prevention each year. People are more aware and are paying more attention. There is also the fact that the populations of ticks increase. It is done quietly, but once they settle down, they are there for good, ” says Karine Thivierge, manager of the parasitology Laboratory of public health of Quebec.

Southern Quebec

Among the 65 cases reported up to now in 2017, the MINISTRY is able to confirm that 55 (85 %) have their origin in Quebec. Five have been contracted outside of the province. It is impossible for the moment to know the origins of the case for the last five.

The regions of Estrie and Montérégie, are responsible for 87 % of the cases of contractions of Lyme disease in Quebec. The other areas of infection likely are the Mauricie, Centre-du-Québec and Laurentides.

“The ticks arrive directly in the United States. The south of Quebec, so the Estrie and Montérégie, are in some way the door. […] The temperature, the wildlife, and a covered adequate are there to enable their survival, ” says Karine Thivierge.

Among the reported cases, there are 46 that are probable, and 19 confirmed cases, indicates to the HSS.

Lyme disease over the years

• 2016 : 179 cases
• 2015 : 160 cases
• 2014 : 126 case
• 2013 : 143 cases
• 2012 : 43
• 2011 : 32 cases

Source : ministry of Health and social Services of Quebec