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Guidelines
Lyme Disease

Lyme Disease

Patient With Suspected Tick Bite

If tick is still attached, remove as per PHAC instructions - Submit tick to Health PEI lab

Lab sends black-legged ticks to National Microbiology Lab for Lyme disease agent testing (results in 4-6 weeks).

  • Most people who are bitten by a tick do not get Lyme disease.
  • Ticks must carry the Lyme bacteria and be attached for >24 to 36 hours for transmission to occur.
  • In PEI, only the black-legged tick can carry Lyme disease.
  • PEI is neither endemic for black-legged ticks nor is it considered a high risk area for Lyme disease.
  • Higher risk areas for Lyme include northeastern US and Wisconsin, southern Ontario, southern N.B., and most of Nova Scotia.

Example Images

Example of an Erythema migrans (EM) rash Often develops a central clearing (bull’s eye shape)