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THURSDAY, APRIL 19, 2012 • MERRITT NEWSPAPERS
Potentially deadly ticks arrive with warm weather By Phillip Woolgar THE HERALD
reporter@merrittherald.com
OH WELL! Lead singer Sarah Jickling performs with her band The Oh Wells at Brambles Bakery last Thursday night (April 12). Locals enjoyed strawberry shortcake and warm drinks as they listened to the group’s catchy songs. Jade Swartzberg/Herald
M E R R I T T Independently owned and operated
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Spring represents flowers, warmer weather and plants bursting with life, but amongst that beauty is a menace as small as a sesame seed that can suck a person’s blood. Ticks are common in the Nicola Valley and are a potentially deadly threat to anyone who visits wooded areas, even places with tall grass and bushes. According to Dr. Karin Goodison, public health physician with Interior Health, ticks feed on the blood of humans and animals, baring their instruments around the flesh and sometimes leaving behind deadly diseases. “It’s possible [that there is more risk in the Nicola Valley] due to the warmer climate than in many other parts of Canada,” she said. “We see a lot of cases throughout the Okanagan as well.” She said one or two Lyme disease cases thought to be associated with ticks were uncovered in the Nicola Valley over the last 20 years — that’s an average of a 10 per cent chance of a single infection each year. But the problem is growing throughout Canada. The University of Montreal released a report last month that indicated the cases of Lyme disease is on the rise, and the ticks are responsible for its spread. In the 1990s, ticks didn’t often carry Lyme disease in Canada, but now the bacteria is presented in 18 per cent of tick-populated areas east of Saskatchewan and that number is expected to rise to 80 per cent by 2020, the report stated. Warmer Canadian climates, such as the Nicola Valley, are more susceptible to a massive tick population. Reforestation and high populations of white-tailed deer, which are common in the Nicola Valley, are thought to be a main cause of the rise. “Ticks hang onto the top of grass or onto a shrub and kind of grab onto your
clothing as you walk past,” Goodison said. “And then they’ll climb up and find a nice spot and they start digging in.” One of the main breeds in the Nicola Valley is the wood tick, which doesn’t carry Lyme disease. However, this tick can carry the Rocky Mountain spotted fever and toxins — which are found in all ticks — that can cause temporary muscle weakness and paralysis if the bug attaches for several days. “There are easy things you can do to protect yourself, like covering up before you head outdoors and checking for ticks when returning from a walk, hike or bike ride,” Goodison said. “Most tick bites do not result in illness. However, any bite from a tick or other insect should be cleaned because infection can occur whenever there is a break in the skin.” According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, a circular rash around the tick bite is an early sign of Lyme disease and should be immediately diagnosed by a doctor. Chills, fever, fatigue, headaches and joint and muscle pain often follow. Those who aren’t treated can have nervous system disorders, heart palpitations, skin rashes, general weakness and extreme fatigue. “Lyme disease-carrying ticks are less common in the Interior of B.C. than on the coast,” Goodison said. “However, our residents do travel around the province, so it’s important they are aware of the signs of Lyme disease.” The l. pacificus, found mainly near the coast, more commonly carries Lyme disease than other breeds. Antibiotics, if used early, are effective at treating the infection. Anyone bitten by a tick should quickly remove it from the flesh without squishing it and releasing the stomach contents. Long sleeves and pants can protect you in wooded areas. Insect repellent that contains DEET is another effective guard against tick bites.
Chinese Res Restaurant
DELIVERY AVAILABLE
250-378-6333 250-378
within 3 km
($30 min purchase)
HOURS: Mon. - Sun.: 7 am - 9 pm
NOW OPEN! DINE IN x TAKE OUT
4025 Walters St.
(Old Hans Golden Wok) - Just off Voght Street at
NEW
OWNER