Dr. Kevin Fonseca, an APL clinical virologist and associate professor at the University of Calgary, says you have little chance of being exposed to Lyme disease if bitten by an infected tick.
“Lyme disease is a serious disease; however, it can be treated successfully, ”says Dr. Fonseca.
According to the AHS, Alberta is home to many species of ticks, but most ticks in Alberta do not carry Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacterium that can cause Lyme disease in humans. However, there is evidence that species of bacteria capable of transmitting bacteria are expanding in Canada.
Between 1991 and 2020, there were 132 cases of Lyme disease in humans reported to Alberta Health. All were reportedly acquired during a trip outside the countryside to areas known to circulate the bacteria that cause Lyme disease and the ticks that carry it.
Since the tick monitoring program began, AHS has seen a steady increase in the number of ticks submitted by people in Alberta. The proportion of ticks tested positive for Lyme disease bacteria has not increased.
Submit-a-Tick is a monitoring program that helps monitor the species and distribution of ticks in Alberta and to assess the risk of acquiring Lyme disease in Alberta.
All submitted submissions must first be verified by submitting a tick photo via the eTick app or via the eTick website.
Only ticks that have been requested to be sent to the laboratory after identification with a photo via eTick will be accepted for testing. Officials say this ensures the best use of laboratory services.
Sending a tick to the laboratory on request is optional and encouraged. Instructions for collection, delivery, shipping points and postal address are provided in the tick test application form.
We recommend that you visit your healthcare provider if you are concerned about tick bites. If you are worried about your pet’s tick bite, consult your veterinarian.
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