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Vector-Borne Illnesses and Communicable Diseases Questionnaire

Disclaimer:

The PeriPHAT tool is meant to offer tips. It is not for emergencies. For an emergency, please call 911. For non-emergency related health advice, call 811.

Introduction

With climate change, diseases that move from animals to people are rising. Questions in this part of the PeriPHAT tool are here to help you and your family learn more about information and resources on diseases carried by mosquitoes and ticks.

General questions (for each table):

The designers of this tool ask the following questions to ensure that this tool is helpful to clients and families from diverse backgrounds, identities and life circumstances.

Western Canada (BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba) Central Canada (Ontario and Quebec) Atlantic Canada (New Brunswick, PEI, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador) North (Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut)
urban area suburban area rural/remote area
Yes No
Low-income and housing insecure Low income and housing secure Middle income High income You do not have an option that applies to me. I identify as (open-ended)
Man Woman LGBTQ+ Two-Spirit Intersex You do not have an option that applies to me. I identify as (open-ended)
Indigenous Newcomers Refugees seeking asylum Black Latin-X Asian Person of Colour White You do not have an option that applies to me. I identify as (open-ended)

Disclaimer

These may be challenging questions and topics for you to think about. If you are currently struggling with your mental health, please contact your primary care or mental health care provider, local medical or community health centre or call 811 for support. First Nations and Inuit Hope for Wellness Hotline at 1-855-242-3310. If you are feeling suicidal, please contact 911 or go to your local hospital emergency room. You can also call the Suicide Crisis Helpline at 988, for help anywhere in Canada.

Climate change is impacting all Canadian regions. Different regions have different outdoor environments, which in turn affect the rates of mosquito and tick-borne diseases in Canada.

Yes No

Climate change is impacting all Canadian regions. Different regions have different outdoor environments, which in turn affect the rates of mosquito and tick-borne diseases in Canada.

Yes No

Reduce the risk of being bitten by ticks and mosquitoes that carry vector-borne diseases.

Yes No

Zika virusPeople can get Zika virus in certain parts of the world from a mosquito bite. Zika virus can lead to severe health complications for unborn babies as it can cross the placenta at any stage of the pregnancy. It is important to know your risk of Zika virus as a pregnant person or person planning on potentially becoming pregnant. has spread to many countries, including the southern United States of America and throughout Central and South America. Learn how to prevent the virus and when to get medical attention if you feel unwell while travelling or when you return to Canada.

Yes No

A) General information, prevention resources and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for ticks when living in high risk areas

Ticks live in forested, grassland, and shrubland areas. They usually bite during the spring and early fall. A tick bite can make people sick, and diseases caused by ticks can lead to health complications.

If you live in forested, grassland and shrubland areas, you can:

  • Clean up leaves
  • Clean up brush,
  • Clean up tall grasses,
  • Clear woodpiles and
  • Remove stone fences from around buildings and garden edges.

Using Personal Protective Equipment to reduce your and your family’s risk of getting a tick bite:

  • Wear light-coloured and long-sleeved clothing
  • Wear closed-toed shoes. Do not wear sandals.
  • Put bug spray with DEET or Icaridin on clothing and exposed skin
  • Put permethrin on clothing and gear
  • Do a full body check of yourself and your children after being outdoors
  • Check clothing and pets after being outdoors
  • See a health care provider if you are feeling unwell

Information on DEET, Icaridin and Permethrin

DEET

  • Safely use insect repellents with DEET. Look for the concentration of DEET in your insect repellent. Adults, including pregnant persons and children 12 years and older, can safely use up to 30% DEET. One application at this concentration can protect you for 5 to 6 hours. Children 2- to 12-year-old children can safely use up to 10% DEET. One application at this concentration can protect your child for 2 to 3 hours. Apply the product up to 3 times a day. daily
  • 6-month-old infants to 2-year-old children can safely use up to 10% DEET. One application at this concentration can protect your child for 2 to 3 hours.) Apply the product only once a day. For children younger than 12 years old, do not use a DEET product every day for more than a month.

For infants younger than six months old, use a mosquito net outdoors. For example, you can put a mosquito net over a crib or stroller. Do not use an insect repellent containing DEET.

Icaridin

Icaridin products repel mosquitoes and ticks. Icaridin 20% products offer 7 hours of protection. Icaridin 10% products offer 5 hours of protection. Products containing icaridin should not be used on infants younger than six months old.

Permethrin

In Canada, clothing treated with permethrin is available to protect against mosquitoes and ticks. Those 16 years and older, including pregnant people, should wear permethrin-treated clothing. Adults wearing permethrin-treated clothing may touch or hug young children. Avoid extended amounts of time in contact with children while wearing permethrin-treated clothing. Do not let young children chew on the fabric.

Depending on the fabric, permethrin-treated clothing can be effective for several washes. Check the clothing label for more information.

More information for babies and toddlers:

To prevent babies and toddlers from getting tick bites, put mosquito netting over carriers and strollers.

See the resources below to learn how to remove a tick.

For more information, talk to your healthcare provider, healthcare team, walk-in medical clinic, or local public health unit.

B) General information, prevention resources and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for mosquitoes when living in high-risk areas

Mosquitoes can carry diseases that can make you sick. Mosquitoes are most likely to bite during the spring and into early fall.

Tips to lower the number of mosquitoes on your property:

Take steps to control mosquitoes on your property. If you live in a wetland area, a swampy forested area, or a body of standing water area try to reduce the amount of standing water.

Reduce ' the risk of getting a mosquito bite by:

  • Cover exposed skin with loose, long, and light-coloured shirts and pants
  • Wear closed toed shoes. Avoid wearing sandals.
  • Wear light-coloured socks and hats
  • Mosquitos are most likely to bite you as the sun is coming up for the day and the sun is setting. Plan outdoor activities to avoid these times of the day where possible.
  • Apply insect repellent that contains DEET or Icaridin. Use instructions on the insect repellent bottle.
  • Use permethrin-treated clothing and gear
  • Stay and sleep in screened-in or air-conditioned rooms
  • If staying outside, sleep under a mosquito bed net

Information from the Government of Canada on DEET, Icaridin and Permethrin

DEET

  • Safely use insect repellents with DEET. Look for the concentration of DEET in your insect repellent. Adults, including pregnant persons 12 years old and older, can safely use up to 30% DEET. One application at this concentration will protect you for 5 to 6 hours. (protects for 5-6 hours), Children 2 to 12 can safely use up to 10% DEET. One application at this concentration of DEET will protect your child for 2 to 3 hours.
    • Apply the product up to 3 times a day
  • 6 months old to 2 years old can safely use up to 10% DEET. One application at this concentration of DEET will protect your child for 2 to 3 hours)
    • Apply the product only once a day

For children younger than 12 years old, do not use a DEET product every day for more than a month.

For infants younger than 6 months old, use a mosquito net outdoors. For example, you can put a mosquito net over a crib or stroller. Do not use an insect repellent containing DEET.

Icaridin

Icaridin products keep mosquitoes and ticks away. Icaridin 20% products offer 7 hours of protection, and Icaridin 10% products offer 5 hours of protection. Products containing icaridin can be used on infants 6 months or older. Do not use it on infants younger than 6 months old.

Permethrin

In Canada, clothing treated with the insecticide permethrin is available to protect against mosquitoes and ticks. Those 16 years and older, including pregnant women, can wear permethrin-treated clothing. Adults wearing permethrin-treated clothing can touch or hug young children. Avoid an extended amount of time in contact with children. while wearing permethrin-treated clothing. Do not let young children chew on the fabric.

Depending on the fabric, Permethrin-treated clothing can be effective after several washes. Check the clothing label for more information.

Please see the Government of Canada Permethrin resource for more information.

Other insect repellents

Make sure to use a registered insect repellent product labelled for use on people. A registered product by Health Canada will have either:

  • A Reg. No. 00000 P.C.P. Act
  • or A Registration No. 00000 Pest Control Products Act

Hydrated, cyclized lemon eucalyptus oil 10% is effective for repelling mosquitoes. One application will give up to 2 hours of protection. Lemon eucalyptus oil should not be used on children under the age of 3.

Soybean oil 2% insect repellents are suitable for all ages. They repel mosquitoes and black flies. One application of Soybean oil 2% provides 1 to 4 hours of protection.

Health Canada-approved citronella oil products can prevent mosquito bites. One application can provide 30 minutes to 2 hours of protection. However, approved citronella oil products should not be used on infants or toddlers.

Talk to a health care provider, public health unit or pharmacist if you have any questions.

More information for babies and toddlers: -To prevent babies and toddlers from getting tick bites, put mosquito netting over carriers and strollers.

For more information, talk to your healthcare provider, health care team, walk-in clinic, or local public health unit.

C) General information, prevention resources and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for mosquitoes when visiting high risk areas

Mosquitoes can carry diseases that can make you sick. Mosquitoes are most likely to bite in spring and early fall.

Steps to control mosquitoes on your property if you live in a wetland area, swampy forested area, or a body of standing water like a lake:

Reduce the amount of standing water. These tips may help lower the number of mosquitoes in and around your property.

Reduce the risk of getting a mosquito bite:

  • Cover exposed skin with loose, long, and light-coloured shirts and pants
  • Wear close-toed shoes. Avoid wearing sandals.
  • Wear light-coloured socks and hats
  • Mosquitos are most likely to bite you as the sun is coming up for the day and the sun is setting. Plan outdoor activities around these times of the day.
  • Apply insect repellent that contains DEET or Icaridin when outdoors
  • Use permethrin-treated clothing and gear
  • Stay and sleep in screened-in or air-conditioned rooms
  • If staying outside, sleep under a mosquito bed net