Swimmer's itch reported at Sikome Lake after recent visitors contract parasite

Recent visitors to Sikome Lake in Calgary's Fish Creek Provincial Park have reported cases of swimmer's itch, a parasitic skin rash commonly linked to waterfowl in the water.

Some swimmers have described the rash as mild, comparing it to long-lasting mosquito bites, while others reported symptoms as severe as chickenpox. The parasite is microscopic and typically goes undetected until symptoms appear, according to Patrick Hanington, a public health professor at the University of Alberta who has studied environmental diseases for over 15 years.

Alberta has become a regional hot spot for swimmer's itch, with Ontario being the other major concern area in Canada. "The two places we see the highest number of parasites in the water tend to be in Alberta and then out in Ontario," Hanington said. "Those two areas have a lot of snails in the water for one, and they have a lot of migratory birds. There are also way more people in those places and that means there's a lot more people recreating."

It's common to see geese and mallards use Sikome's waters before migration. When they release parasites into the water, swimmers can become infected. Hanington noted that officials have limited tools to prevent the spread. Tests exist to detect parasite DNA, but results take one to two days — by then conditions may have changed.

The Ministry of Forestry and Parks confirmed it is aware of reported cases and is monitoring water conditions closely with routine testing and treatment occurring weekly. Visitors are reminded that swimmer's itch can occur at any time in lakes or waterways.

To reduce risk, swimmers should towel dry immediately after leaving the water, pay special attention to exposed skin, and use on-site showers as soon as possible. Avoid going in the water early in the morning, stay away from vegetation where snails concentrate, and be mindful of wind direction — if it's blowing toward the beach, parasites are more likely to reach it.

According to officials in nearby Midnapore and Chaparral, no cases have been reported in their community lakes despite their proximity to Fish Creek Provincial Park.