One of these ticked off Avril Lavigne

Despite their ugly appearance and being a carrier of Lyme Disease, ticks are not an overly huge concern in our area.

Still, anyone who has been bitten by a tick or suspects having been bitten by a tick and experiencing flu-like symptoms should be tested to see if he or she has the disease.

That from Sarah Bunjevac, an Algoma Public Health (APH) public health inspector.

"Ticks actually have to be infected by a certain bacteria that's called borrelia, which cause Lyme Disease, so even if you're bitten by a tick it doesn't mean the tick is infected," Bunjevac told SooToday.

"(But) we always assume that ticks are infected, that's why we recommend people go and see a doctor and get tested for Lyme Disease (if they suspect they may have the disease)."

That testing is recommended, as doctors have been known to overlook the possibility of Lyme Disease in those suffering from it and make a wrong diagnosis.

Canadian singer-songwriter Avril Lavigne revealed she was suffering from the disease in 2015.

If a tick is found on the skin, the natural thing to do would be, of course, to remove it.

Infected ticks do the most damage within 36 hours of attaching themselves to a human body.

Most Lyme Disease sufferers will develop a "bull's eye" rash and experience headache, fever and muscle soreness.

Left untreated by antibiotics, the disease will progress and include such problems as numbness and tingling in the hands or feet, insomnia, depression, arthritis and partial facial or limb paralysis.

"We have, from time to time, a case of human Lyme Disease or a positive infected tick (in the APH area)…it usually comes through migratory birds, infected ticks will fall off migratory birds and show up in our area, but it is rare in our area" Bunjevac said, adding the disease is more common in Southeastern Ontario.

Protective measures people can take include wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants and spraying bug repellant on their skin, in the same way people would cut down on the chances of mosquito bites.

"It's also good to check your pets for ticks (as part of regular pet care)," Bunjevac said.

There are Lyme Disease vaccinations available for pets, but not for humans.

In Algoma, there was one confirmed case of Lyme Disease in 2015, but that person's infection originated in Michigan, Bunjevac said.

There were also four "probable but unconfirmed" cases of the disease last year in Algoma.

There were no reported problems with Lyme Disease in Algoma in 2014, one confirmed and one probable case in 2013, one probable case in 2012, none in 2011.

For research purposes, ticks are being trapped and tested by APH to see if they are carrying the disease, Bunjevac said.

"It's not really time to panic, but it's time just to be vigilant and be aware there is some risk," Bunjevac said.