An advisory issued by the Grand Erie Public Health Unit in July asks people to be vigilant with tick checks for themselves and their pets after Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, a tick-borne disease, was confirmed in that part of the province this summer.
The disease can be life-threatening for pets and humans if not caught early enough and treated. Named for the location it was first identified in (the Rocky Mountains in the US in the 1890s) and the spotted rash human victims develop. Other symptoms include headache, muscle pain, nausea, chills, and confusion.
Long Point cottager Karen Deans, whose son’s dog was the first confirmed with the disease in June, said there was initially a misdiagnosis by veterinarians and the dog died. At press time, five other dogs have been diagnosed with the disease in the Long Point area.
To reduce the risk of the disease, the health unit advisory recommends wearing long sleeves and pants, using insect repellents with DEET, performing tick checks after being outdoors, and using tick prevention products on pets.
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever can be treated with antibiotics and can be spread by the American dog tick.
Originally published in the Fall 2025 issue of Ontario Out Of Doors
