Expanded program to test ticks for Lyme bacteria in Alberta

Albertans who find ticks while enjoying the outdoors this summer are encouraged to submit them for testing for the bacteria that causes Lyme disease in humans.

Since 2007, the province has tested ticks found on pets and farm animals to determine if they carry Borrelia (B.) burgdorferi, the bacteria that cause Lyme disease. The program is now being expanded to test ticks found on humans and in the environment.


“We’re asking for the public to help us gather data to determine whether ticks that carry the Lyme bacteria are present here in Alberta,” said Dr. Martin Lavoie, the Deputy Chief Medical Officer of Health. “Between 1998 and 2012, all 32 cases of Lyme disease reported to Alberta Health were acquired while people were travelling outside the province. That said, the value of this data cannot be underestimated.”

If you find a tick on yourself or in the environment, call one of the participating Alberta Health Services - Environmental Public Health Offices closest to you. Staff will provide instructions for submitting a tick to one of the offices.

Testing will determine what kind of tick was submitted and whether the tick is carrying the Lyme bacteria. Once testing is complete, Alberta Health Services will contact individuals to discuss the results.

The expanded program is expected to cost an estimated $50,000 to $100,000 annually, depending on the number of ticks submitted for testing. The province will cover the cost of testing.

The program is not intended to diagnose Lyme disease in an individual. If you have questions about whether you have Lyme disease, discuss this with your physician. The risk of a person getting Lyme disease from a tick in Alberta is considered very low. Most ticks do not carry the Lyme disease bacteria, and most tick bites do not cause serious health problems.

Veterinarians are also asked to continue to submit ticks found on pets or farm animals to Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development, as in previous years.

For more information on Lyme disease and the tick surveillance program in Alberta, visit www.health.alberta.ca/health-info/lyme-disease.html