Lyme Disease Up 33% in Ontario: When to See a Doctor

Tick season is running longer and hitting harder across Ontario this year, and public health units are asking residents to take it seriously. Lyme disease cases in the province climbed to 3,115 in 2025 — a 33% jump from the year before — with nearly 200 more already confirmed in 2026, according to Grey Bruce Public Health data reported by CKNX.

Blacklegged ticks, once concentrated in a handful of hot spots, are now turning up across much of the province. "Ticks are now active for longer periods each year, including in the early spring and into the late fall," says Gillian Jordan, a public health manager with Grey Bruce Public Health. Milder winters are letting more ticks survive and expand their range northward.

The good news: Lyme disease is very treatable when it's caught early. The key is knowing what to do after a bite and where to go for care without delay.

Why This Tick Season Is Different

A few factors are combining to push case counts higher:

• Longer active seasons. Ticks are questing earlier in spring and later into fall than they used to.
• Wider habitat. Blacklegged ticks are established well beyond their traditional Midwestern Ontario range.
• More carried illnesses. Beyond Lyme disease, ticks in Ontario can also transmit anaplasmosis, babesiosis, and Powassan virus.

If you spend time hiking, gardening, camping, or golfing anywhere in Ontario this summer, assume ticks are a possibility — not just in classic "cottage country."

What to Do Right After a Tick Bite

1. Remove the tick immediately with fine-tipped tweezers. Grip it as close to the skin as possible and pull straight up — don't twist or crush it.
2. Clean the area with soap and water or rubbing alcohol.
3. Note the date. Ticks generally need to be attached for 24 to 36 hours to transmit the bacteria that causes Lyme disease, so quick removal genuinely lowers your risk.
4. Identify it if you can. Ontario's free eTick platform lets you upload a photo for identification, which helps a clinician assess your risk.
5. Watch the site for 30 days for a rash or other symptoms.

You don't need to panic over every tick bite — but you do need to monitor it and know when to get it looked at.

Lyme Disease Symptoms to Watch For

See a clinician promptly if you notice any of the following in the days or weeks after a bite:

• A bullseye-shaped rash (or any expanding rash) at or near the bite site
• Fever or chills
• Fatigue that feels disproportionate
• Headache
• Muscle and joint pain, especially if it migrates between joints

Not everyone with Lyme disease gets the classic bullseye rash, so any unexplained flu-like symptoms after time outdoors are worth mentioning to a healthcare provider.

Where to Get Care for a Tick Bite in Ontario

You don't need to already have a family doctor to get a tick bite checked. Depending on how you're feeling, you have a few options:

• Mild symptoms or just want it checked: A walk-in clinic can assess the bite, remove an embedded tick if needed, and start antibiotics if appropriate — usually without an appointment.
• You have an existing provider: Call your family doctor's office first; many can fit in a same-day tick-bite visit.
• Spreading rash, high fever, or you're not improving: An urgent care clinic can run bloodwork and manage more involved cases faster than a walk-in.
• Already on antibiotics and need a refill before you finish the course, prescription refill options can bridge the gap without a full new appointment.

When to Go to the ER or Call 911

Most tick bites and even confirmed Lyme disease cases are managed outside the emergency department. But go to the ER or call 911 if you or someone you're with develops:

• Facial drooping or muscle weakness
• Severe joint swelling that comes on quickly
• Heart palpitations, chest pain, or fainting
• A high fever with confusion

If your local emergency department is swamped, check live ER wait times before you head out, or ask a walk-in clinic if urgent care is a faster option for your symptoms.

If you're in the Midwestern Ontario area, clinics in nearby cities like London are also worth checking for same-day availability.

Prevention Tips for the Rest of Summer

• Use insect repellent containing DEET or Icaridin on skin and clothing.
• Wear long sleeves and pants, tucked into socks, on trails or in tall grass.
• Choose light-coloured clothing so ticks are easier to spot.
• Stick to cleared trails when hiking.
• Do a full-body check after time outdoors — ticks favour warm, hidden spots like behind the knees, underarms, and the waistline.
• Toss outdoor clothing in the dryer on high heat for 10 minutes to kill any hitchhikers.

FAQ

Do I need to see a doctor for every tick bite? Not necessarily — but you should monitor the site for 30 days and seek care if a rash or flu-like symptoms develop, or sooner if the tick was attached for more than 24 hours.

Can I get treated for Lyme disease without a family doctor? Yes. A walk-in clinic or urgent care clinic can assess a tick bite, order testing, and prescribe antibiotics.

Is Lyme disease curable? Grey Bruce Public Health notes that "if caught early, Lyme disease can be treated effectively with antibiotics." Delayed treatment can make symptoms harder to resolve, which is why prompt care matters.

Are ticks only a risk in rural areas or cottage country? No. Blacklegged ticks have expanded well beyond their original hot spots and are now found in urban parks and green spaces across much of Ontario.

Find Care Today

Whether you need a quick tick-bite check or you're managing early Lyme symptoms, search nearby clinics on CanClinics to find a walk-in, urgent care, or family doctor with availability now.

This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you're experiencing a medical emergency, call 911.

— CanClinics Team