Stay safe from insect and animal bites this summer

EDMONTON – Albertans are encouraged to take precautions this summer when coming across wildlife and insects to prevent bites and infections.

Insects can carry viruses and diseases in Alberta. West Nile virus is an infection spread by mosquitoes that can affect your brain and give you flu-like symptoms. Ticks can carry Lyme disease, an infection that can cause problems with your skin, joints, nervous system and heart.

Prevent mosquito and tick bites:

• Cover as much of your body as possible when outdoors, especially in grassy or wooded areas. Wear a light-coloured, long-sleeve shirt, long pants and a hat.
• Consider using a Health Canada-approved insect repellant (for example, products containing DEET or Icaridin) and follow the product label instructions. Always check for ticks when you come in from the outdoors.
• For more information on insect repellants and other products, visit Insect Repellents or Personal Insect repellents.
• If you’ve been bitten by a tick, call Health Link at 811. You can also submit a photo of the tick to the Submit-a-Tick program to help monitor ticks in Alberta.

Rabies is an infection caused by a virus that affects your nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord and nerves. Bats have been known to carry rabies in Alberta in recent years. If household pets and indoor animals are not up to date on routine rabies immunizations, they can also carry rabies and infect people.

Prevent bat bites:

• Never handle a live or dead bat with bare hands. Bats are likely to bite in self-defence.
• Children are curious and more likely to approach animals. They might not tell someone if they get a bite or scratch. Talk to children about not touching bats or wild animals.
• If you or your child are bitten or scratched by a bat:
  • Wash the animal bite, scratch or open sore with soap and water.
  • Call Health Link at 811. If rabies vaccine is recommended, you will be told where to go to get the vaccine.

Alberta Health Services is the provincial health authority responsible for planning and delivering health supports and services for more than four million adults and children living in Alberta. Our mission is to provide a patient-focused, quality health system that is accessible and sustainable for all Albertans. Our current focus is on reducing emergency department wait times, improving EMS response times, increasing access to surgeries, and improving patient flow.