Tick Update 2026
Lyme Disease Risk Expands To the Manitou Region
For more information see Ticks: Protect Yourself
Over the past several years, we have been tracking the northward spread of black-legged ticks and Lyme disease in the Laurentians. Public health authorities have now made an important change in how they describe the risk.
In June 2026, the Direction de santé publique des Laurentides announced that the risk of contracting Lyme disease is now considered elevated across almost the entire Laurentides region. The region's endemic zone has been expanded to include nearly all municipalities in the Laurentians, including Ivry-sur-le-Lac.
What Does "Endemic" Mean?
The term "endemic" does not mean that Lyme disease is common, nor does it mean that every tick carries the bacteria that causes Lyme disease. It means that black-legged tick populations are now established in the region and that the conditions exist for Lyme disease to be acquired locally.
In practical terms, residents and visitors should assume that ticks may be present anywhere suitable habitat exists.
The Risk Is Real — But Still Manageable
The number of Lyme disease cases continues to rise across Québec. Public health reports that Québec recorded 1,015 cases in 2025. In the Laurentides, 30 cases were reported in 2025, compared with 8 cases reported in 2023.
At the same time, it is important to keep these numbers in perspective. Millions of people enjoy outdoor activities in the Laurentians every year. Most tick bites do not result in Lyme disease, and prompt removal of an attached tick significantly reduces the risk of infection.
Check out our detailed post: Ticks: Protect Yourself.
Where Are Ticks Found?
Ticks are not distributed evenly across the landscape. They are most commonly found in:
Forests and woodlands
Woodland edges
Shrubby areas
Leaf litter
Tall grass
Open lawns, docks, beaches, and exposed rocky shorelines generally present lower risk, although ticks can occasionally be found there as well.
Protect Yourself
The best prevention remains simple:
Stay on established trails when possible.
Wear long pants and closed shoes in wooded or grassy areas.
Use an insect repellent containing DEET or incardin when appropriate.
Perform a thorough tick check after spending time outdoors.
Check children and pets as well as yourself.
Remove attached ticks promptly.
If you find an attached tick, save it if possible and consult current Québec public health guidance. In some circumstances, preventive antibiotic treatment may be recommended following a bite.
Looking Back
Our earlier articles documented the gradual arrival of black-legged ticks in the Laurentians and the expansion of risk municipalities across the region. The latest public health announcement represents the next stage in that progression: ticks are no longer considered an emerging issue here. They are now part of the local environment.
That does not mean we should avoid the woods, trails, or lakeshore. It simply means that tick awareness should become as routine as sunscreen, life jackets, and mosquito repellent.
For more information, see our previous tick updates and the latest guidance from Santé Québec Laurentides and the Institut national de santé publique du Québec:
Elargissement do la Zone a Risque (Santé Québec Laurentides)
Ticks and Lyme Disease (Santé Québec Laurentides)
Zone d’endémicité de la maladie de Lyme au Québec (Institut national de santé publique du Québec)
Ticks in Canada (Government of Canada)