Who are the residents of Estre most at risk of Lyme disease? And why are they more at risk? What are the preferred interventions for disease prevention? Should we intervene at the behavioral level or rather at the environmental level?
These are the questions posed by the research team led by DrPrecision Catherine Bouchard and Cecile Annicenslin, professors at the University of Montreal’s College of Veterinary Medicine.
The team has created a file spatial representation Risk of Lyme disease in Estre. Innovative fact: This map collects data on the risk of infection in humans, on the abundance of ticks in the environment and on the adoption of three protective behaviors (checking the body for ticks afterwards in a high-risk environment, using insect repellents, showering or bathing).
Human centered approach
Dr. Catherine Bouchard and Cecile Anechenslin are professors at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Montreal
Credit: image courtesy
Based on data from a population survey conducted in 2018 and tick surveillance data collected since 2007, this integrated risk representation provides a vulnerability index and setting priorities to guide Lyme disease prevention.
“We hope that this map will be a simple and accessible tool to help various public health stakeholders quantify risks and target municipalities, as well as the actions to be taken that correspond with them,” notes Dr.Dr Bouchard, who is also a veterinary epidemiologist with the Public Health Agency of Canada.
The researchers found that a high incidence of ticks does not necessarily mean a higher risk of transmission when preventative measures are well-established and followed.
says dDr inishinline. But for newer recommendations, adoption may take longer. This is why this map is important: by combining information on ticks and residents, we can then determine which area should be the nature of the intervention: should we strengthen communications regarding preventive behaviour? Or should we instead develop interventions to reduce the number of infected ticks in the environment? “
Thus, the researchers wanted to think about Lyme disease prevention from a One Health perspective by combining behavioral and environmental risk factors. “An approach that focuses on disease risk reduction is combined with a health promotion approach that aims to design sustainable solutions upstream,” defines D.Dr Popcorn.
areas most at risk
Vulnerability index in the different regions of Estre, based on levels of social, behavioral and environmental risk.
According to the study, the Networks of Local Services (RLS) in Pommeraie and Haute-Yamaska will be a major concern because of the relatively high population density, the expected abundance of ticks and the heterogeneous level of adoption of the three protective behaviours.
The top 20 municipalities at risk according to the average prioritization index are (in alphabetical order): Ange-Gardien, Brigham, Brome, Bromont, Cowansville, Dunham, Granby, East Farnham, Farnham, Freligsburg, Lac-Brome, Notre-Dame-de Stanbridge, St Alphonse de Granby, St Brigid d’Iberville, St Ignace de Stanbridge, St Sabine, Sherbrooke, Sutton, Stanbridge East and Valcourt.
“It was not a surprise to us, we know that these RLS have very favorable climatic conditions for ticks, and therefore they are very abundant, but above all that the homes are located directly in their environment. This closeness therefore increases the probability of exposure, ”says Dr.Dr Popcorn.
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