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As of 2021, tick data are now received through the eTick program and APL.
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Photo submissions to eTick are considered invalid for this report if:
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the submitter has travelled out of province in the two weeks preceding the submission of the specimen
to eTick
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the photo of tick is poor quality making species determination impossible
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the specimen is not a tick species
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The originating location for a tick may be unknown for two reasons:
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The tick was collected while travelling within the province, greater than 50 Km from the submitter’s
place of residence.
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The location data provided is invalid. For example, an invalid postal code.
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Ticks collected pre-eTick program use specimen received date, while ticks collected after the transition
to eTick use specimen collection date if lab tested by APL or submitted date if not lab tested.
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Each tick is counted individually, but multiple ticks may be submitted from one host or
person.
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An increase in ticks submitted may reflect increased awareness about
the program rather than increased ticks in Alberta.
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Submission to the surveillance program is voluntary. The number and percentage of ticks may not be a
representative sample of prevalence at a geographic level.
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“Alberta-acquired” is used to define ticks where the probable location of acquisition was
within Alberta. It includes ticks where the submitter has indicated no history of travel
or travel only within Alberta in the previous two weeks.
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Geographic assignment is based on most likely zone of acquisition, if available, or the
postal code of residence or work of the submitter. Tick specimens submitted by persons
who have documented travel within the province in the previous two weeks are excluded
from zone counts due to uncertainty in geolocation information.
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Ticks capable of transmitting B. burgdorferi exclude I. kingi and I. ochotonae.
There is no evidence that I. kingi or I. ochotonae can transmit B. burgdorferi.
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In 2019 and 2020 zone was not entered for non-Ixodes ticks where the host travelled outside of
Alberta for the companion animal program.