It is tick season in Alberta, and the provincial health department wants people to submit any ticks they find so the insects can be tested for Lyme disease.
Tests on ticks from pets and livestock have been ongoing since 2007, but the program has now expanded to insects found on people and in the environment.
“Between 1998 and 2012, all 32 cases of Lyme disease reported to Alberta Health were acquired while people were travelling outside the province,” said deputy chief medical officer Dr. Martin Lavoie in a news release.
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“That said, the value of this data cannot be underestimated.”
Anyone finding a tick can call an Alberta Health Services office to get instructions on how to submit it for testing. Results will be discussed with the person submitting the tick when they are complete.
The program is not designed to diagnose Lyme disease in people, said the news release. However, the risk of getting the illness in Alberta is considered to be low. Most ticks do not carry Lyme disease.
Veterinarians are also being asked to continue submitting ticks from pets and livestock.
More information is available at www.health.alberta.ca/health-info/lyme-disease.html
