Province issues Lyme Disease warning
Posted Jul 19, 2011 11:04 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The province is urging Albertans to protect against Lyme Disease.
Five ticks found on animals in Calgary and Edmonton tested positive for the bacteria that causes the inflammatory disease spread through a tick bite.
Symptoms include headaches, fever, fatigue and depression, as well as a characteristic circular skin rash.
Chief Medical Officer for Alberta Health and Wellness Dr. Andre Corriveau tells 660News, ticks wait on tall grass or shrubs so they can jump onto a host while brushing the plant going by.
“They usually latch on for at least a day or two to gorge on blood. They form a little lump that looks like a little tumour… you can easily take them out with a plier,” says Dr. Corriveau.
If you find a tick on your pet, contact a local veterinarian so the tick can be collected for testing, and go to a doctor if you’ve been bitten.
You can reduce your chances of getting bit by wearing long pants and a long-sleeved shirt, and by using bug repellents with Deet.
Anyone who suspects they have Lyme Disease is asked to contact Healthlink Alberta in the Calgary-area, by calling 403.943.LINK (5465).
