Lyme disease has made a comeback in Alberta after five ticks were found on four dogs and one cat in Edmonton and Calgary.
The ticks were given to Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development (ARD) for a test and were determined to be ticks carrying Borrielia burgdorferi, the bacteria causing Lyme disease.
“Lyme disease can be a serious condition if it’s not detected early and is left untreated,” said Dr. André Corriveau, Alberta’s chief medical officer of health. “Your best defence against Lyme disease is prevention. Everyone should use insect repellent and cover up when walking in tall grass, woods or brush to avoid being bitten by ticks.”
Thirteen ticks were carrying Lyme disease in 2010 and more than 25 ticks have been identified since 2007.
Between 1989 and 2008 there were 20 human cases of Lyme disease, but health officials said none of the cases originated in Alberta, rather, they came from travel cases in the United States and Europe.
“Ticks that carry Lyme disease are rarely found in Alberta, however, Agriculture and Rural Development is continuing to monitor the situation and is trying to determine whether or not the ticks that carry Lyme disease are established in the province,” says Dr. Gerald Hauer, chief provincial veterinarian.
“It is important for pet owners to inspect their animals for ticks, especially after they’ve visited areas where ticks are, such as grassy fields and wooded areas.”
Ticks that carry Lyme disease normally attach and feed in the summer months from May to August, and may even attach up until the late fall. In humans, the disease is recognized as a circular, red rash starting at the tick bite three to 30 days after the bite occurs. The rash may be accompanied by fever, chills, headache, fatigue and swollen lymph glands. In some cases, Lyme disease results in neurological and muscular problems weeks or months after the original infection. More serious cases can lead to recurrent meningitis, heart problems and arthritis.
