In its new definition of the Lyme disease endemic area, the National Institute of Public Health of Quebec (INSPQ) has included the Chaudière Appalachian region.
Initially, a municipality had to report at least three locally acquired human cases in the past five years to be classified as endemic. Sending at least 23 cases of Ixodes scapularis ticks of human origin over five years (passive surveillance), or affecting three stages (larva, nymph, adult) or at least six specimens of the same stage of Ixodes scapularis ticks over 12 months (active surveillance), was also accepted.
“The definition has been expanded in order to better represent the epidemiological situation of this disease in Quebec. The affected area now includes municipalities that meet one of the three endemicity criteria already defined in the past, as well as all municipalities located 20 kilometres or less from it,” explains Richard Daigle, INSPQ information officer.
Two cases were confirmed in Leclercville, at the Migrant Resource Centre in Lotbinière, in 2023. Almost all municipalities in Estrie and Centre-du-Québec, two neighbouring administrative regions, were already in an endemic zone, and our entire region was therefore included in the new definition.
Be careful
According to Jessica Poiret, public relations officer for the Center for Integrated Health and Social Services (CISSS) in Chaudière Appalachian, residents here must adapt to the presence of ticks that can transmit Lyme disease. It is important to be aware of prevention recommendations, as well as the signs and symptoms of the disease.
“If you notice a tick attached to your skin, you reduce your risk of getting sick by removing it quickly. If the tick came from Leclercville, or from an endemic area outside of the Chaudière Appalachia, a pharmacist or other health professional will be able to assess whether a course of antibiotics is recommended for prevention,” Ms. Boari notes.
“We get tick bites when we are outdoors, whether in woods or bushes or in activities that bring us into contact with piles of dead leaves, shrubs or tall grass. These are places where ticks like to hang out,” notes CISSS on its website (cisssca.com), where you can find tips on preventing Lyme disease.
Across Quebec, the proportion of ticks carrying the disease reached 20% in 2022, and reached 31% the following year. Estrie, Outaouais and Monteregie represent the regional trio most at risk.
