Health Hazards
Along with the good of Georgian Bay there are some “bads” and it is important to know what they are and what to do if you encounter them out in the Bay.
Harmful Plants
Poison Ivy
- How to identify poison ivy: HGTV: how to ID poison ivy
- How to control poison ivy: Government of Ontario
- More information:
Poison Oak
- How to identify poison oak and the difference between poison ivy and oak: Almanac: Poison Oak Identification and Treatment
- Management of poison oak: UC IPM Poison Oak.
Giant Hogweed
- How to identify Giant Hogweeds: Invasive Species Centre Giant Hogweed
- Management: Ontario invasive plants council – Best Management Practice Technical Document for Land Managers
- More information:
Harmful fungi & bacteria
Blastomycosis
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Blastomycosis information
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Where does Blastomyces live?
- Government of Canada: Pathogen Safety Data Sheets: Infectious Substances – Blastomyces dermatitidis
Harmful insects
Ticks
- How to identify different types of ticks: Tick Check – The TickCheck Tick Identification Guide
- How to deal with a tick bite: Mayo Clinic – Tick bites: First aid
- Information on Lyme Disease: CDC – Lyme Disease
- GBA content on Ticks & Lyme Disease
Spiders
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Information on Black Widows in Canada: Nature Conservancy Canada Black Widow
- Spider ID – Spiders in Ontario
- GBA: Black Widow spiders in Georgian Bay
Harmful Algal Blooms
- CDC: Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB)-Associated Illness
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration: What is a harmful algal bloom?
- Watershed Ontario: Why is blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) becoming more prominent?
- Government of Ontario: Blue-green algae
- North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit: Harmful Algae Blooms