This undated photo provided by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows a blacklegged tick, which is also known as a deer tick. (CDC via AP, File)

By Derek Craddock

TICK SEASON

Health officials say Lyme Disease risk is low but urge caution as tick season approaches

May 6, 2024 | 5:00 AM

Tis the season for hitting the great outdoors but don’t forget there could be something else lurking in those forests.

Ticks! They’re tiny, creepy, and crawly and some can carry a risk of certain illnesses like Lyme Disease.

But as the spring season continues, what risk do ticks pose in Saskatchewan and the Prince Albert area?

According to Dr. Ahmed Farris, the Medical Health Officer for Prince Albert, around 3,000 ticks were found across the province last year through active surveillance and passive surveillance, those submitted by residents.

“But with respect to the P.A. area, we found a small number of black-legged ticks in the P.A. area in 2023. So we actually found two through active surveillance and two through passive surveillance,” said Farris, noting the provincial total for black-legged ticks in 2022 was 17.

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Farris added that black-legged ticks, known to carry Lyme Disease, make up a small percentage of all ticks in the province. Roughly 96 per cent of ticks found last year were the American dog tick while other ticks found include the winter tick and wood tick.

It’s believed that many ticks come to Saskatchewan either through migratory birds or other animals or through international travel.

While the number of black-legged ticks in Saskatchewan is low, the numbers have steadily increased. In 2008, just five black-legged ticks were reported in the province with the 17 found in 2022 being the highest number so far.

Since 2008, the number of human cases of Lyme Disease is only 16, with the majority coming from travel.

“We do know that the risk of Lyme Disease in Saskatchewan is still very low,” said Farris.

Despite that, health officials are not taking any chances and are asking everyone in the province to be extremely careful and do their best to prevent tick bites.

“Wearing long sleeve shirts, long pants and even tucking in pants into socks. The other thing you can also do is wear lighter clothing, that way, if there are ticks, they’re more easily identifiable,” said Farris. “We also recommend people use insect repellent that works against ticks to also decrease their risk.”

Doing tick checks after every outdoor activity is also being encouraged by the SHA.

For more details about ticks or to submit one you’ve found, you can visit etick.ca

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derek.craddock@pattisonmedia.com