Quebec officials are raising the alarm as the province records its first-ever case of Rocky Mountain spotted fever, a potentially deadly disease transmitted by ticks. This alarming discovery has health authorities on high alert.

"We are closely monitoring this situation to gather more information about the presence of this disease in Quebec," stated a representative from the Health Ministry. In light of this new threat, they advise the public to take preventive measures against tick bites.

Typically, Rocky Mountain spotted fever is associated with the southern United States, but climate changes have propelled its spread into Canada. Dr. Alex Carignan, a microbiologist and infectious diseases expert, warned, "We anticipated this bacterium would reach us in the coming years, but it has arrived sooner than we thought."

The emergence of this disease is particularly concerning as it's not an isolated case; the risk of Lyme disease has surged in Quebec, reportedly doubling from 2000 to 2015, and tripling in nearby Manitoba. Rising temperatures are also allowing ticks to move further west, with Lyme-carrying ticks recently found as far as Montana.

Both Rocky Mountain spotted fever and Lyme disease can lead to severe health complications—or even death—if not treated swiftly. Amid these developments, health officials are stressing the importance of protective measures.

So, how can you stay safe? The key is to avoid tick bites! Protect yourself by wearing long sleeves and pants, along with using insect repellent. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends sticking to the center of trails and treating clothing with 0.5% permethrin.

On a hopeful note, there are already effective treatments available for dogs that kill ticks before they can transmit Lyme disease. Researchers are also exploring new tick-repelling drugs for humans, mirroring the chewable options used for pets.