Tick season is back

By Bev Betkowski, University of Alberta

Up to one in five Albertans bitten by ticks this summer could beat risk for Lyme disease, a University of Albert expert says.

Once thought to be rare in the province, encounters with Lyme-carrying ticks are rising and Edmonton could be a hotspot for the pesky parasite, said entomologist Janet Sperling.

“We need to recognize that we have a problem that is getting bigger, not smaller,” said Sperling, whose son was once infected with Lyme disease. A board member of the Canadian Lyme Disease Foundation, she’s currently studying the bacteria that ticks carry, in a quest to ultimately find better long-term medical treatment for victims.

The Ixodes scapular is, also known as a or deer tick, is among those commonly found in northern Alberta.Ten to 20 per cent of the ticks now being tested in Alberta are carrying Lyme disease, so anyone bitten has a one in five to one in 10 chance of being exposed, she noted.

The infection, if not detected early and treated with antibiotics, can result in a lingering illness with debilitating arthritis and even neurological damage.

Edmonton’s river valley is a particularly attractive spot for Ix odes to live, since it provides the cool, damp environment they prefer. Deer moving along the North Saskatchewan River carry the ticks into the area. Researchers have also discovered that the insect is hitching a ride on migratory birds like robins and other songbirds from the U.S., where rates of Lyme disease are much higher.

Sperling said there’s no need to for people to panic, but Albertans need to be more aware of the risk of Lyme disease. In comparison, neighbouring provinces like Manitoba and British Columbia have much larger tick populations, she noted.

“It didn’t used to be on our radar here, but now it needs to be,” Sperling said.“We want people to enjoy being outside-they just need to pay more attention. It doesn’t mean you limit what you do, it means you have a higher awareness”.

More needs to be discovered about ticks and Ly me disease, S per ling added, but here are some need-to-know facts. Clothing is the best repellent “Clothing is the first line of defence,” said S per ling. Wear close-toed shoes, pants tucked into socks, long-sleeved shirts and light coloured clothes, so it’ s easier to spot tic ks. If you are using repellent, spray it on the clothing and at the ankle, wrist and neck.

DEET sprays may help deter ticks, but they aren’ t safe at concentrated levels for kids. Do a check after play time Check yourself and your children after being outdoors. Pay close attention to areas where the bugs are most likely to hide: the scalp, hairline, belly button, underarms, beltline, the back of the knee and wherever a knapsack came in contact with the ground.

If you think you’ ve been bit ten by a tick, don’ t ignore it. Ly me disease is easier to treat in its early stages. Make sure everyone in the family has a bath or shower after outdoors activities, and do thorough visual checks, S per ling added.

Ticks-about the size of a grain of rice-are most likely to be encountered in June at dusk and dawn. They tend to be less obvious-but still present-during the hotter months of July and August.

Pets are at risk, too Domestic dogs, cats and horses are also known to be at risk of tick bites. Look for ticks around the eyes, and in their coats. “Run your hand along your pet’s body and if you feel something, investigate further. A bite will feel like a small lump,” Sperling said. Look for symptoms like lethargy and sudden joint pain and lameness. If you spot them, see your vet.

Look for tick sin your neighbourhood Ticks tend to live in the bush and long grass, but they can be in your neighbourhood, too. Green spaces like dog parks and backyards have yielded tick sin Edmonton, S per ling said. One of her neighbours, for instance, found three tick son a dog that hadn’t left the yard. Be sure to rake up dead leaves( tic ks like to hide in damp leaf litter) and keep your grass cut short.

Know that diagnosis of Ly me disease may take awhile

With its initial flu-like symptoms, a diagnosis of Ly me disease can be easy to miss, and existing blood tests may not immediately reveal a positive reaction to infection .“It take sat least two weeks and maybe up to six weeks to produce an antibody response ”, said S per ling. And the existing blood test is based on tick-borne bacterial strains found on the East Coast of the U.S ., so it may not give a fully defined reaction.

When in doubt, see your doctor

Tell your doctor right away if you believe you’ ve been bit ten and discuss your symptoms, including any‘ bulls eye’ rashes that develop at the bite site. Be aware that ar ash can also be more widespread as it moves out ward from the bite-or it can be completely absent. According to the Canadian Ly me Disease Foundation, only 30 per cent of victims experience ar ash, and only nine percent develop a bulls eye rash. Be aware of other symptoms that could occur, and seek treatment right away. If you do remove a tick, save it in a plastic bag and bring it along to the doctor’s office for identification.