Montreal's Public Health and Safety Agency wants people to enjoy their summer holidays, but also be aware of potential dangers of being outside in the wilderness.
Dr. Richard Massé says there are two treatable infections that frequently appear in summer months in North America: West Nile Virus and Lyme Disease, both of which are spread by insects.
Certain breeds of mosquitoes transmit West Nile Virus, while Lyme Disease is carried by ticks.
Dr. Massé says the best way of not getting infected is to wear bug repellant along with long light-coloured clothing and covered-toe footwear while hiking, especially if outside near dawn or dusk.
Hikers should also take care not to disturb plants that may have mosquitos huddled underneath. When returning from a hike people should meticulously inspect their body, and that of their hiking companions and any pets for ticks.
In urban and suburban settings eliminating stagnant water where mosquitoes can breed is also a good idea.
Lyme Disease is often accompanied by a bullseye rash that appears anywhere from three to 30 days after being bitten by a tick. If left untreated the disease can cause pain, paralysis and meningitis.
West Nile Virus can cause fevers, flu-like symptoms, and in extreme cases inflammations of the brain.
With a file from The Canadian Press
