Researcher keeping track of ticks (5/27/2008)

Daniel Fitzgerald shows off one of the many ticks being collected from all over Alberta.

A University of Alberta researcher is on the trail of tiny hangers-on this summer.

Daniel Fitzgerald will head out to Alberta's fields and farms this spring to get a handle on tick populations in the province and whether they pose a health threat to humans and livestock.

Fitzgerald, a lab technologist with the Government of Alberta, is tracking the tick population for his master's thesis at the U of A's Faculty of Agricultural, Life & Environmental Sciences. He was motivated to pursue the topic after the number of unusual ticks found in Alberta rose in recent years.

"Last year, Alberta researchers found a species of tick that's rarely reported here, and there was also a case of a tick found carrying Lyme disease," he said. "So, that got our interest going. The government is always looking out for this disease cropping up."

Lyme disease, which presents with symptoms that include a circular rash in the area of the tick bite, fatigue, chills, fever, headaches and muscle and joint pains, can be cured with antibiotics. But it can also develop into a chronic illness characterized by abnormal heartbeat, dizziness and even paralysis if not treated early.

In Eastern Canada, a particularly toxic tick has been found in areas where people and animals are unaccustomed to living with them.

"The question is whether the same thing is happening in Alberta," Fitzgerald said. "With these new ticks showing up where they haven't traditionally been, there is concern and cause for further investigation," he added.

Backed with a grant from Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development, Fitzgerald will pick ticks from cattle, analyze bovine blood samples and collect the tiny parasite from various pastures in the province. He's also being helped out by Alberta veterinarians.

"Vets are sending in ticks from all over the province," he said. "We hope to collect several hundred or even a couple thousand-as many as possible."

He'll use his findings to determine what tick species are living where in Alberta and what pathogens they are carrying. He'll develop a map showing how the tick species are distributed and showing any areas of concern for the transmission of tick-borne pathogens to cattle.

"There isn't a huge concern about ticks right now, but we want to know if the populations are changing, or if new populations are coming into the province. It could definitely be a future concern," said Fitzgerald, adding that there are a number of theories about what could bring in new tick species. "They could be attaching to migratory birds or brought in on imported cattle."

The completed map can also serve as a guide to what hazards are posed to humans, Fitzgerald saya. Once developed, the map can be used by researchers to start tracking any changes to Alberta's tick populations, which will help determine how to protect against them.

Note: This story has been adapted from a news release issued by the University of Alberta

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