The province is on the look out for blacklegged ticks in Riding Mountain National Park.
It was recently announced that surveillance for blacklegged ticks is being expanded in Riding Mountain National Park, after Parks Canada submitted 27 blacklegged ticks to the province for further testing. Of the 27 blacklegged ticks tested some were found to have bacteria that could lead to the spread of lyme disease.
Director of Communicable Diseases Control with Manitoba Health, Doctor Richard Baydack said, "In the last year or so we have had a number of submissions from the Riding Mountain area, which has kind of signaled to us that that's an area we need to prioritize in what we call active surveillance."
However, Manager of Resource Conservation for RMNP, Paul Tarleton says the recent findings should not deter visitors from entering the national park. He added, "Riding Mountain National Park itself isn't really that much different than any other forested or bush area."
As of now, RMNP has not been listed as a high risk area. It's advised that visitors routinely check for tick bites.
