Submit-a-tick program once again underway in Alberta
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LETHBRIDGE – It’s not something pleasant to think about; finding a blood-sucking tick attached to your body, your pet or even your livestock.
But if that does happen this year, you’re being encouraged to save it once it has been removed, and submit it to your doctor, veterinarian or First Nations Health Centre.
The ticks are then sent to the province’s Environmental Public Health Office, and tested to see if they’re carrying the bacteria that can cause Lyme disease, according to Dr. Kristin Klein, Deputy Medical Officer of Health.
“This helps us to monitor the risk of Lyme disease in Alberta. Based on this data, we know that the risk of being bitten by a tick that is infected with the Lyme bacteria in Alberta is very low.”
The provincial government has actually been testing ticks on pets and farm animals since 2007, and the program expanded to include people in 2013.
Last year, out of more than 2,700 ticks that were submitted, only 34 tested positive for the bacteria that can cause Lyme disease.
And between 1991 and 2016, there were 88 cases of the disease reported in Albertans– all of which were acquired while travelling outside of the province, and predominantly outside of Canada.
Klein says to her knowledge, no Albertan has acquired Lyme disease from ticks in this province.
“Albertans can prevent tick bites, by covering up as much skin as possible when going into woody or grassy areas,” explains Klein. “By using bug spray that contains the chemical DEET, and by making sure to check themselves and pets for ticks after spending time outside.”
For tick removal go to Alberta Health’s website: http://www.health.alberta.ca/health-info/lyme-disease.html
