Toronto's top doctor is advising parents to help protect their children from Lyme disease, as many schools are taking end-of-term field trips during this time of the year.

Dr. David McKeown, Toronto's medical officer of health, recommends children who are enjoying outdoor activities in wooded or bushy areas to do the following:

  • Wear light-coloured clothing so ticks can easily be spotted
  • Wear long pants and long-sleeve tops
  • Tuck pant legs into socks
  • Use bug repellent containing DEET

"Toronto Public Health has found blacklegged ticks on Algonquin Island and Morningside Park," McKeown said Thursday in a letter sent to parents. "These ticks can be infected with the bacteria that cause Lyme disease."

McKeown’s warning comes as the city’s health agency said earlier this week it is monitoring for ticks believed to be of the blacklegged variety. The ticks have been sent to the National Microbiology Laboratory in Winnipeg for testing, which is expected to take several weeks.

McKeown stressed, however, that the risk of Lyme disease in Toronto remains low, and the majority of ticks are not infected.

The Toronto District School Board told CTV Toronto that the board is currently not aware of any new cases of Lyme disease as a result of the discovery. Spokesperson Ryan Bird said the letter was sent out as a precaution.

Last year, blacklegged ticks that tested positive for Lyme disease were found in Rouge Valley.

Blacklegged ticks are the only type in Ontario that carry the disease. They range in size from a poppy seed to a pea.

Lyme disease symptoms vary from person to person, but early symptoms typically occur within one to two weeks following a bite. Symptoms can also appear as soon as three days after a bite, or as long as a month after being infected.

Symptoms include:

  • Fever
  • Headache
  • Muscle and joint pains
  • Fatigue
  • An expanding "bull's-eye" shaped rash at the site of the tick bite

If left untreated, Lyme disease can result in recurring arthritis, numbness and even paralysis. These symptoms can last months to years. The Public Health Agency of Canada says that while fatalities from Lyme disease are not common, they have been reported.

To learn more about Lyme disease, visit the Public Health Agency of Canada website.