Take a tick: Test a tick.
The McLeod River Post
While you’re watching for those pesky mosquito’s bear in mind that there is a sneakier predator after your blood and your pet’s, ticks. Often, unless you’re checking, you may not even notice a tick that’s attached to you and feeding happily. Ticks are not to be taken lightly and sometimes carry the Lyme disease bacteria. In addition, Alberta Health says “Rocky Mountain spotted fever (transmitted by Dermacentor andersoni), Powassan virus (transmitted by I. cookei) and Tularemia (transmitted by D. variabilis). The number of cases of these diseases reported to Alberta Health each year varies from 0 to three cases, mainly acquired locally. Like Lyme disease, there is a low risk that other tick-borne diseases, such as Anaplasmosis, Babesiosis, Ehrlichiosis or southern tick-associated rash-illness (STARI), may be dispersed into Alberta by migratory birds.”
According to Alberta Health Albertans can reduce their risk of tick bites by: • Covering up as much skin as possible when going into wooded or grassy areas.
• Using bug spray that contains the chemical DEET, IR3535 or Icaridin. • Checking themselves and their pets for ticks after spending time outside. • Being aware of the risk of Lyme disease when travelling outside of the province to places where ticks that can carry the Lyme disease bacteria have established populations.
Symptoms of Lyme Disease from Alberta Health: Individuals should seek medical attention if symptoms of Lyme disease develop, especially after a tick bite. Symptoms include:
A round, red rash that spreads at the site of a tick bite, known as a “bull’s eye rash”
Flu-like symptoms: tiredness, headaches, sore muscles and joints and fever.
You need to take care removing a tick from yourself, your companions or your pets. Getting it wrong could leave the head of the tick in place with the risk of still picking up a nasty illness. The official advice is: If a tick is attached to your skin, take these steps to safely remove it:
1. Using tweezers, gently grasp its head and mouth parts as close to your skin as possible.
2. Without squeezing the tick, slowly pull the tick straight up off the skin – do not jerk or twist it.
3. Do not apply matches, cigarettes or petroleum jelly to the tick.
4. Once the tick has been removed, clean the bite area with soap and water and disinfect the area with an antiseptic. Wash hands with soap and water.
5. Save the tick in a clean, empty container. Do not add any ventilation holes to the container that is being used to put the tick(s) in. You can put more than one tick in the container if they are found on the same person or in the same general area in the environment.
Black legged ticks are of particular interest for testing as some of them are known to carry the Lyme disease bacteria.
6. Add a small piece of tissue or cotton ball, lightly moistened with water, into the container to prevent the tick(s) from drying out.
7. Submit the tick for testing as soon as possible.
Alberta Health is encouraging people to submit particularly black legged ticks for testing you can find more information at http://www.health.alberta.ca/healthinfo/lyme-disease.html . Aside from the recommended fine point tweezers special tick removal kits are available to buy, which could make a useful addition to your camping/hiking kit. If you find a tick on your pet, you can submit it to your veterinarian. Ask your veterinarian about tick treatments and check your pets bedding and soft furnishings. If you find a tick on your pet be prepared to destroy bedding and soft toys, vacuum everything and check your yard area.
Enjoy our great outdoors but you’ll need to watch for the little things as well the big ones. Applying some planning, common sense and vigilance should stand you well.