A soggy and humid summer in Cochrane has created ideal conditions for ticks, and local health officials are reminding residents to stay vigilant outdoors.
“You want to avoid walking through tall grass or brush, especially in forested areas,” says local nurse Sarah Hofferman. “Ticks love those spots, and they’re more active in warm, damp weather like we’ve been having.”
Black-legged ticks are the ones to watch for. They’re small, fast-moving, and can be difficult to spot. Sarah says a full-body check after time outside is a simple but effective habit.
“If you find a tick, gently remove it with fine-point tweezers, grabbing as close to the skin as possible and pulling straight out.”
“Avoid twisting or squeezing it.”
She says to keep an eye out for a bullseye-shaped rash, which is one of the early symptoms of Lyme disease. Other signs include fever, chills, fatigue, and muscle pain.
“Stick to the middle of well-trodden trails, wearing long sleeves, pants, and using bug spray with DEET or Icaridin also helps lower your risk.”
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Seven ticks have already been reported in Cochrane so far this year through etick.ca, a national tick identification platform.
Sarah encourages residents to submit tick photos and consult a physician if any symptoms appear.
“Catching things early makes all the difference,” she says. “Don’t ignore a tick bite, get it checked.”