Little concern for Lyme disease in Saskatchewan

There appears to be little alarm over Lyme disease in Saskatchewan, although that could change.

That’s because it’s rare to see the black-legged tick in the province, the one that causes Lyme disease.

But much like West Nile virus 15 years ago, that could change in the future.

That disease came in a wave spreading across the country over time and a similar situation could happen with Lyme disease.

Ticks can move across provinces by birds and deer, although the threat still remains relatively low.

“Since 2008, we have collected more than 21,000 ticks and of them just 50 were the black-legged tick,” Dr. Denise Werker, Saskatchewan’s deputy chief medical health officer, explained. “I can’t predict when it will be here in Saskatchewan but we continue to take this seriously and to watch for it in the ticks and in humans.”

Lyme disease cases have typically been reported in some of the Maritimes, along with parts of Quebec.

Testing is done in the Saskatchewan at the provincial laboratory then to the national centre for second confirmation.

Werker encourages you to take preventative measures to avoid ticks at this time of year.