Dear HLSIO Supporter,
The summer season has given way to the Holiday Season and we wanted to give you a wrap up of HLSIO 2024 activities. Let’s start with saying that in 2022 and 2023, the common merganser brood relocation program that we use to control Swimmers Itch on Higgins Lake was suspended by MI-DNR because of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). Fortunately, no common merganser broods appeared on Higgins Lake in 2022. In 2023, common merganser broods returned, with two broods observed. Since these broods were not relocated, it was predicted that SI metrics at Higgins Lake would increase in 2024. Waterfowl surveys of the entire shoreline of Higgins Lake were conducted by Swimmers Itch Solutions (SIS) on May 21, 2024, and again July 23, 2024. On May 21 there were a total of 20 Common mergansers found on Higgins Lake. On June 20 SIS captured 1 merganser brood (1 Hen and 9 ducklings) and relocated them to Lake Huron. On July 23, another bird survey was done and no common mergansers were found to be on the lake at that time. Because we found and relocated the ducklings prior to them becoming viable spreaders of the SI parasite, we expect SI cases in 2025 will most likely decrease.

On June 28, 2024 over 2000 snails were collected at ten different locations on Higgins Lake. Each snail was individually analyzed for avian schistosome infections. With two common merganser broods on the lake for the entirety of last summer, we had anticipated a slight uptick in snail infections in 2024. We did not find such an increase, likely due to snail infection being reduced so low in the past that a sample size of over 2000 snails is unable to provide anything of consequence. From the inception of Trap and Relocation work in 2015 the SIS website was able to accept information about SI cases throughout the summer. With the advent of the suspension of the program in 2022 we looked for another method of
monitoring SI cases. At that time the Higgins Lake Water Exposure study was initiated, and we have obtained data from swimmer’s experiences not only in 2022 but also in both 2023 and 2024. This data tells us when and where Swimmers Itch cases occur. We hope to develop patterns to analyze and help us determine how to better combat SI on Higgins Lake in the future.

Results of all monitoring show that cases on Higgins Lake increased a modest 2.34% in 2024, even though there were non-relocated birds on HL in the summer of 2023. In contrast, on Crystal Lake, SI cases increased from less than 1% to over 10% in 2023 and were further elevated in 2024. Additionally, most cases on Higgins Lake continue to be mild while some on Crystal Lake were quite severe. In 2023 and again in 2024 we sponsored research with the goal of knowing more precisely how quickly the parasites in newly infected ducklings became viable and began potentially infecting snails.
As a result:

1. As expected, ducklings at the youngest ages (12, 15, 17, and 18 days old) were negative.
2. Ducklings were first found infected at 3 week (21 days old), but producing parasites at a very minimum.
3. The proportion of infected ducklings continues to increase with age, reaching peak parasite shedding at the 5 to 6 week period.
4. All the oldest ducklings (52, 61, and 65 days old) were positive, and some were shedding very large numbers of parasite eggs, many times higher than younger ducklings and their mother hens.
5. Second-year adults (who don’t yet breed but are present on Higgins Lake and other inland lakes in the summer) can have exceptionally high parasite egg counts, though there is variation. Three juvenile birds that were tested in 2024 were actually parasite free. Speculation was that possibly these birds came from relocation site environments where there were no snails present or possibly parasite production is greater between June 19 and July 1 and lessor between July 13 and July 24. It’s also possible that parasite outlook is somehow related to migration and after the migration period, production subsides, or perhaps parasite creation may be diminished as host immune systems mature. In any case, HLSIO intends to continue with the proven success of our relocation program and is already making plans to structure our program for next summer. Thanks to all our supporters for helping to keep Swimmers Itch to a minimum at Higgins Lake.

Your HLSIO Board,
Melanie Brown, Bill Carey, Phil Czech, Duncan Lawrence, Dale McDonald, John Ogren, Mike Purkey, Greg Semack

A quick update about Swimmer’s Itch (SI) on Higgins Lake. Si remains relatively low although the reported cases have increased slightly from last year. we expected a slight uptick this summer as there were two Merganser broods on the lake last year the we were unable to relocate due to DNR restrictions. HLSIO conducted a snail infection rate study earlier this season in order to evaluate the prevalence of the parasite that causes Swimmer’s Itch. We found virtually no infected snails. Our Water Exposure study of people using the lake indicated only a minor increase in cases, but much lower than 2015 when we began our program. Starting again this summer, the DNR has lifted their prior restrictions about relocating mergansers. On June 20th we were able to remove the only merganser brood we had this summer on Higgins Lake. Here are images of the duck roundup. Overall the news is very good. As you may know other northern Michigan lake have had relatively high cases of Swimmer’s Itch the past couple years. Our relatively low infection rate clearly demonstrates our relocation efforts are on the right track.

Please help us keep Swimmer’s Itch prevalence low by reporting cases to (http://swimmersitchsolutions.com/higginslakereportacase/), or by joining our Water Exposure research team (complete a short survey after spending time in water). If interested, please send an email to higginsswimmersitch@gmail.com.

The Higgins Lake Swimmer’s Itch Organization (HLSIO) is already on its way to a Happy New
Year. Early in January we received word that the suspension of our highly successful common
merganser duck relocation program has ended. In the summer of 2024, we will once again be
able to remove any broods of merganser ducks and relocate them to areas where
the Stagnicola snails are not present.
The system of removing broods of merganser ducks was implemented in 2015 and has greatly
reduced the incident of Swimmer’s Itch on Higgins Lake. The program had been suspended by
the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for the last two years due to concerns about the
spread of Avian Flu. Although there is still evidence of the flu in bird populations, the DNR no
longer considers it to be reason enough to stop our program from moving a relatively small
number of wild birds from one wild bird location to another wild bird location. Additionally,
merganser duck behavior is typically not conducive to spreading the disease to other birds.
The HLSIO Board meets year-round in order to work on issues to keep Higgins Lake as free for
Swimmer’s Itch as possible. This news gives us a jump start to our plans for the summer of
2024.

Dear HLSIO supporter,

As 2023 draws to an end, we want to report to you the latest update of your Swimmers Itch (SI) program. During 2023 we saw a return of merganser broods to Higgins Lake without the ability to relocate them for the first time since 2015. We used the summer season to study several aspects of SI control. One study looked at the gestation period of the SI parasite in the ducks. The second study was a continuation of data collection of water exposures to better understand the specific details of where and when SI cases are occurring on Higgins Lake.

New to our website this season was the incorporation of donations accepted via PayPal to help make that process easier for our supporters. And website additions are continually made to give our community access to updated and newsworthy topics regarding SI.

As many of you already know, the DNR has suspended our relocation permit for the past two summers based on their concerns regarding the spread of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI). In their opinion, stopping merganser relocation prevents HPAI transmission to commercial poultry operations. To date, DNR has provided no information that supports this conclusion, and we will continue to work with them to understand their reasoning for the permit suspension and provide potential solutions to address their concerns and end the suspension. In addition, we have been working with Crystal Lake, who has had great success using the relocation program to control their SI cases in prior years. Crystal Lake suffered a large increase in SI cases in 2023 due to the suspension of the relocation program and the increase in merganser broods on their lake. Together we are reaching out to work with the DNR to end our permit suspensions. As of this writing we do not have a firm conclusion about this matter. We intend to continue to communicate our position that suspension of relocation is not warranted based on the scientific information available.

The Higgins Lake community has been a consistent supporter of SI control through relocation. A scientific paper written by Dr Curt Blankespoor and Dr. Randy DeJong about our success has been accepted and will be published in January. Higgins Lake is a large focus of this paper and our success here is now well documented.

HLSIO sponsored an important study during the summer of 2023 which gave clarity to the time parasites become viable after having infected a duckling. It was established that the earliest ducklings were producing parasite eggs was 3 weeks but the number remained very low even through 4 and 5 weeks. By week 7 parasite production was 20 to 30 times greater. This data confirms our strategy of relocation at less than 3 weeks to break the SI cycle. The report on this research study is contained in the attached SIS Research and Control Report on Higgins lake in 2022-2023.

Other research work that was done this past summer was the addition of more data to our water exposure research study. Now we have two summer’s worth of data which helps us focus on where on the lake, and at what times during the season were SI cases reported. As the data increases we will be able to see if patterns reoccur and we can then search for more targeted methods of combating SI. The report on this study can also be found in the attached SIS Research and Control Report on Higgins Lake in 2022-2023.

The Higgins Lake community has many people to thank for their continued support of the Higgins Lake Swimmers Itch Organization and our efforts over the last nine years. Special thanks can be noted for Jim and Laura Witt for hosting our vital fundraising dinner each summer and to Fred’s of Roscommon for contributing their excellent food and beverage service for the dinner that has provided a delightful evening for all who attend. Thanks to everyone who has donated to HLSIO over the years. The success of our program is based on the generosity of our supporters and their unwavering contributions to our fight.

We hope everyone has a wonderful Holiday Season.

Your HLSIO Board

Melanie Brown, Bill Carey, Phil Czech, Duncan Lawrence, Dale McDonald,
John Ogren, Mike Purkey, Greg Semack

Welcome to the highly anticipated 2023 summer season at Higgins Lake. The Higgins Lake Swimmers Itch Organization (HLSIO) is gearing up for a productive summer, having already completed our Canada Goose control program for this year. While it is impossible to regulate every goose that visits our lake, we are dedicated to reducing their population. Each goose residing in the lake contributes to an excessive nutrient problem, equivalent to two 50-pound bags of fertilizer.

This summer, we will continue our efforts to study and track reported cases of Swimmer’s Itch, aiming to gather valuable data that may reveal patterns and provide insights for future strategies to minimize the occurrence of this issue.

HLSIO is also excited to sponsor a research study focused on determining the gestation period of new parasites in Common Merganser ducks. This information will enable us to identify the optimal time for duck removal and relocation in order to have the maximum impact on reducing Swimmer’s Itch cases.

Unfortunately, the ongoing presence of Avian Flu in North America presents a challenge. Due to the threat it poses to commercial flocks, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has once again suspended our ability to relocate common mergansers. Despite engaging in discussions and meetings with the DNR personnel we typically work with, we were unable to convince them of the necessity to relocate birds this summer to mitigate Swimmer’s Itch on Higgins Lake. While the absence of broods to relocate in the past two years may help maintain low Swimmer’s Itch case numbers, the success of our program relies on consistent relocation efforts. We are disheartened by the inability to relocate merganser ducks for the second consecutive year. Nevertheless, we remain committed to exploring alternative methods to effectively control Swimmer’s Itch on Higgins Lake this season.

We are pleased to announce that HLSIO will be hosting our annual fundraising dinner on Thursday, August 17th. We extend our gratitude to Jim and Laura Witt, our gracious hosts, and Fred’s of Roscommon, our dedicated caterers, for their ongoing support. This delightful evening plays a vital role in sustaining our fight against Swimmer’s Itch. Stay tuned for more information as summer unfolds.

The HLSIO board considers it an honor to represent the Higgins Lake community and continue the battle against Swimmer’s Itch with the generous support of our donors. The progress achieved thus far is significant and a testament to the goodwill exhibited by the residents of our area.