Search This Blog

Friday, July 22, 2011

Canada : Alberta issues Lyme disease warning

Via Calgary Herald, excerpt :

" Infected ticks turn up in city, Edmonton

As health authorities urge Albertans to guard against Lyme disease after five infected ticks were found so far this year, a Calgary mother says she's frustrated her sick daughter hasn't been tested for the illness despite repeated requests.

The pinhead-sized ticks carrying the Borrellia burgdorferi bacteria that cause Lyme disease were spotted recently on four dogs and a cat, through Alberta's surveillance system, said the province's chief medical officer of health, Dr. Andre Corriveau.

Alberta doesn't typically see a lot of the infected ticks, partially because they don't survive well in the dry climate.

Gabrielle Ravenda, whose daughter Mikayla has been sick for nine days with a number of symptoms linked to Lyme disease, said she's frustrated the 14-year-old hasn't been tested for the illness, even if the possibility is remote.

"At least give parents the peace of mind you're going to rule it out and get tested."

Mikayla has been suffering from a high fever, chronic neck and back pain, nausea and lethargy since July 10."

No comments:

Post a Comment