In the upcoming autumn season, it is advisable for residents of Saskatchewan to exercise caution and maintain a state of alertness regarding the presence of ticks on both themselves and their domesticated animals.
Blacklegged ticks (Ixodes scapularis), traditionally infrequent in Saskatchewan, are currently expanding their geographical distribution within Canada.The presence of established populations of the blacklegged tick in close proximity to Saskatchewan has been identified in the southern region of Manitoba. Saskatchewan possesses a substantial quantity of habitat that exhibits favorable environmental conditions conducive to facilitating the reproduction and subsequent establishment of blacklegged tick populations.
Blacklegged ticks are commonly observed in habitats characterized by tall grasses, brush, or wooded areas, and they exhibit continued activity throughout the cooler conditions of the autumn season.
It is highly probable that the ticks encountered in Saskatchewan during the autumn season are blacklegged ticks, known for their potential to transmit Lyme disease.
According to Deputy Chief Medical Health Officer Dr. Julie Kryzanowski, it is important to implement measures to safeguard oneself, one’s family, and pets from ticks, despite the conclusion of the summer season. As a consequence of an elevated autumnal temperature, ticks are now capable of establishing robust populations in regions that typically experience temperatures too low to support their survival. During the autumn season, it is crucial to maintain a state of constant awareness in order to prevent the transmission of diseases by ticks. Minimizing contact with ticks serves as the most effective strategy in safeguarding against Lyme disease and other infections transmitted by ticks.
Preventive measures encompass:
- It is advisable to don light-colored attire in order to enhance the visibility of ticks.
- It is advisable to don pants, long-sleeved shirts, and closed-toe shoes in order to ensure proper coverage of the body.
- To mitigate the risk of ticks crawling up one’s legs, it is advisable to don socks and pull them over the pant legs.
- It is advisable to utilize insect repellents that contain DEET or Icaridin. It is advisable to administer insect repellent to both garments and exposed skin surfaces, while consistently adhering to the instructions provided by the manufacturer.
- In Canada, the utilization of permethrin-treated clothing has received official authorization for individuals aged 16 and above.
- It is advisable to promptly engage in either showering or bathing after outdoor activities in order to cleanse the body of any loose ticks and conduct a thorough examination for any ticks that may have become attached.
- It is advisable to conduct a thorough examination for ticks subsequent to spending time outdoors. It is imperative to ensure that one conducts regular self-assessment, as well as monitoring the well-being of one’s offspring and domestic animals.
In the event that an individual discovers a tick affixed to their skin or on their domesticated animal:
- The tick should be extracted with caution using tweezers with a fine tip, ensuring that the mouth parts of the tick are firmly grasped as near to the skin surface as feasible.
- Apply a gradual upward force while maintaining a consistent and strong pressure.
- It is important to exercise caution when handling the body after removal, as it may potentially contain infectious fluids. Avoid exerting pressure, causing compression, or puncturing the body to minimize any potential risks.
- It is advised against applying Vaseline, gasoline, or any other harmful substances onto an attached tick. These factors may induce regurgitation.
- Please kindly consider submitting photographs of the tick specimen to eTick (www.etick.ca), which is Saskatchewan’s image-based system for identifying ticks.
- Please retain your tick in the event that it may require submission for additional testing. Ticks can be effectively euthanized by employing a method wherein they are enclosed within a bag and subsequently subjected to a freezing environment for a duration of 24 hours.
The collaboration between the Ministry of Health and researchers at the University of Saskatchewan involves the monitoring of tick populations and the assessment of Lyme disease risk within the province. This is achieved through the utilization of eTick, a digital platform, as well as active field surveys. The collection of blacklegged ticks through field surveys is considered the most reliable and conclusive method for determining the presence of established populations. Prior to June 2023, there were no instances of blacklegged ticks being detected in Saskatchewan as a result of active surveys. Nevertheless, during the month of June, a solitary male blacklegged tick was discovered as part of an ongoing survey.Subsequent surveys will be undertaken in order to ascertain whether this observation signifies the presence of a proliferating population of blacklegged ticks.
In the present year, during the spring and early summer seasons, the eTick platform successfully identified the presence of four blacklegged ticks. The predominant species of ticks discovered in Saskatchewan is the American dog tick, scientifically known as Dermacentor sp.Nevertheless, the activity of this particular species is limited to the period spanning from mid-April to the conclusion of July. It has been determined that American dog ticks do not possess the ability to transmit Lyme disease to humans.
For more information on ticks and Lyme disease, including how to submit a tick for Lyme disease testing, visit saskatchewan.ca/lyme or https://research-groups.usask.ca/ticks/#Passivesurveillance.
For more information, contact:
Media Relations
Health
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4083
Email: media@health.gov.sk.ca
