It is hoped that discoveries made this summer will shed new light on the complexity surrounding these troublesome parasites, information that could inform riparians and lead to safer swimming habits. Hanington’s team has made significant advances in DNA technology since 2015, specifically with quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), which now allows for more direct and accurate swimmer’s itch risk assessment by counting the actual number of cercariae in a standard water sample. Patrick Hanington from the University of Alberta (Edmonton), will work to determine (a) the current schistosome parasite diversity (species richness and relative abundance) on Higgins Lake, (b) how schistosome populations have changed over time, (c) the presence and impact of the newly discovered schistosome species, and (d) changes in snail densities over time.ĭr. Scientists from Freshwater Solutions, working in collaboration with Dr. In 2020 the Higgins Lake Foundation will fund additional research using a different scientific approach. Biologists have also engaged in research, education and control of the parasitic larvae. Beginning in the 1980’s on Higgins Lake, common merganser ducks, a prime host of at least one schistosome species, were harassed/relocated in an effort to break the cycle. TRUMP AND I SUED MICHIGAN SECRETARY OF STATE JOCELYN BENSON IN 2020 ELECTION. For some time, the use of copper sulfate to kill snail populations was considered a remedy, but its use was discouraged due to long term negative impacts. I supported the Higgins Lake Swimmers Itch Organization and worked closely. The Swimmers’ Itch cycle was first documented in 1928 when it was discovered that the parasites (called schistosome cercariae) are passed from bird to snail to human. If you want to make it easier on yourself, just head off to one of our Great Lakes for a day at the beach.The Higgins Lake community has battled Swimmers’ Itch for decades.
You can always contact the DNR to see if any lakes you frequent have reported cases of swimmers itch.
Some scientists have said that you should watch the water temperatures, the warmer the water temperature the more likely to have swimmers itch. Common mergansers are the only birds harboring the swimmer’s itch parasite species that occur in Higgins Lake. There are creams you can use before entering the water, I have found these work great. Swimmer’s Itch Solutions, LLC’s swimmer’s itch control program has been extremely effective at maintaining, and possibly even further reducing, the number and severity of swimmer’s itch cases on Higgins Lake in 2018. As I mentioned earlier, toweling off after getting out of the water is KEY. To avoid getting swimmers to itch there are some precautions you can take. Once the warm weather hits lake lovers hold their breath in hopes that they won't have to deal with the itch this summer. In the past, Michigan lakes like Torch Lake, Cadillac Lake, Lake Mitchell, Walloon Lake, Glen Lake, and Lake Leelanau all had swimmer's itch issues. Other states like Minnesota and Wisconsin also deal with swimmers itch.
Higgins Lake is not the only lake in Michigan that has had to deal with swimmers itch. Toweling off immediately after getting out of the water helps, in most cases. Swimmers itch looks a bit like the measles, but it is nasty and worse. Swimmers itch is a skin rash caused by a parasite (shistosomes) which. The parasites hang out in the shallow waters at the lakeshore and on the sandbars. Stagnicola snails were associated with deeper lakes and sites with more deciduous.
Never really bothered me but it sure bothers others like my daughter and husband. The parasite that causes swimmers to itch is found in Higgins Lake and other lakes around Michigan.