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Across North America, public health officials are sounding the alarm: climate change is exacerbating the spread of tick-borne illnesses, posing a growing threat to human health. Lyme disease, once confined to specific regions, is now appearing in areas previously considered low-risk, and lesser-known, potentially dangerous diseases are emerging alongside it.
“Climate change in Canada is happening at a much more accelerated rate than we see in parts of the rest of the world,” explains Dr. Heather Coatsworth, chief of field studies at the National Microbiology Laboratory in Winnipeg. Her research highlights the direct link between rising temperatures and the expansion of tick habitats. Ticks require specific levels of heat and humidity to survive and reproduce; as these conditions shift northward and westward, so too do the ticks. The consequence are dire.
While Ontario, Quebec, and Nova Scotia remain hotspots for blacklegged ticks , the primary carriers of Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, babesiosis and Powassan virus , these disease vectors are increasingly found in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and British Columbia. This geographic expansion is placing new populations at risk, and it underscores the urgent need for both public awareness and medical preparedness.
“A lot of doctors have been told , this was their training , ‘you can’t get Lyme disease in Alberta; if you don’t have a travel history don’t worry about it,’” notes Dr. Janet Sperling, a scientist specializing in bugs and president of the Canadian Lyme Disease Foundation. She emphasizes that outdated medical knowledge is hindering accurate diagnoses and timely treatment. The challange becomes education. Medical professionals, especially primary-care physicians, need updated training on the changing geographic distribution of tick-borne illnesses and their varying symptoms.
The impact of climate change extends beyond merely expanding tick habitats. Warmer winters mean fewer ticks die off, leading to larger populations each spring. Longer, warmer summers provide ticks with more time to feed and reproduce, further fueling their spread. The result? A dramatic surge in reported cases of Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses.
“There’s estimates that if things keep going the way they are and climate change keeps going the way things go, that in 25 years we’d have about half a million cases of Lyme disease here in Canada,” warns Dr. Coatsworth.
The rise in Lyme disease cases is already staggering. In 2009, when provincial public health units began monitoring the illness, there were only 144 cases reported across Canada. Preliminary data for 2024 reveals a shocking increase to 5,239 cases. However, experts believe the real number is likely much higher, as many individuals experience non-specific symptoms that go undiagnosed.
The story gets worse from there, however. Beyond Lyme disease, other tick-borne illnesses are gaining traction. Anaplasmosis, babesiosis, and Powassan virus, all transmitted by blacklegged ticks, are emerging as significant health threats. Anaplasmosis, in particular, is showing a rapid increase, with cases jumping from roughly 10-50 per year around 2012 to over 700 last year. “It’s kind of the new kid on the block,” says Dr. Coatsworth, highlighting the urgent need for increased monitoring and research.
Understanding the symptoms of these diseases is crucial for early detection and treatment. Lyme disease can manifest with fever, chills, fatigue, headache, swollen lymph nodes, and muscle/joint aches. A telltale bull’s-eye rash appears in some, but not all, cases. Anaplasmosis mirrors Lyme symptoms but often lacks the rash, while adding cough, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and vomiting. Babesiosis also mimics Lyme but can cause anemia. Powassan virus, the most severe, can lead to encephalitis (brain swelling) and meningitis.
- Lyme disease: Fever, chills, fatigue, headache, rash (sometimes)
- Anaplasmosis: Similar to Lyme, plus cough, diarrhea, abdominal pain
- Babesiosis: Similar to Lyme, plus anemia
- Powassan virus: Fever, headache, neurological symptoms (serious)
Fortunately, Lyme disease and anaplasmosis are treatable with antibiotics, typically doxycycline. Babesiosis, caused by a parasite, responds to anti-parasitic medications. However, there is currently no treatment for Powassan virus, and patients require supportive care to manage symptoms like brain swelling. Early diagnosis and intervention are critical for all of these conditions.
The ticks that spread these diseases , primarily Ixodes scapularis (deer tick) and Ixodes pacificus (western blacklegged tick) , acquire pathogens by feeding on infected animals, including deer, mice, rabbits, and birds. Migratory birds play a significant role in transporting ticks across vast distances, contributing to their spread into new regions. To get a handle on the danger, experts stress the importance of understanding tick habitats and practicing preventative measures.
Dr. Curtis Russell, a vector-borne disease specialist at Public Health Ontario, emphasized how surprisingly small ticks can be. An adult tick that hasn’t fed is about the size of a sesame seed, while a young tick is even smaller , about the size of a poppyseed. This tiny size makes them difficult to spot, underscoring the importance of thorough tick checks after spending time outdoors.
“It raised more questions than answers,” said local hiker, Maryanne Jacobs after finding two ticks on her dog after a routine walk. The parks department had recently issued an advisory, but it was too little to change her plans for the day.
To minimize the risk of tick bites, experts recommend the following:
- Wear long sleeves and pants when possible.
- Use bug spray containing DEET or picaridin.
- Choose light-colored clothing to easily spot ticks.
- Avoid contact with foliage and bushes; stay in the middle of trails.
- Perform full-body tick checks after outdoor activities, paying attention to the hairline, armpits, groin, and back of the legs.
- Take a bath or shower after spending time outdoors.
- Wash and dry clothes on high heat to kill any ticks.
If a tick is found, remove it immediately using tweezers. Grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible and pull straight up without twisting. Twisting can cause the tick’s mouthparts to break off and remain embedded in the skin. After removal, clean the bite area with soap and water.
Take a photo of the tick and submit it to etick.ca for identification and risk assessment. If symptoms develop, seek medical attention and inform the healthcare provider of potential exposure to tick-borne illnesses.
The Untapped Potential of preventative measures and increased awarenss is clear. Overcoming Barriers such as outdated medical training and lack of public knowledge requires a concerted effort from public health agencies, medical professionals, and individuals. Only through collective action can we achieve Achieved Success in mitigating the rising threat of Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses in a changing climate.
One user on X.com recently posted, “Just pulled a tick off my kid after playing in our backyard! This is getting ridiculous. #LymeDisease #ClimateChange #TickSeason”. This sentiment is echoed by many across social media platforms, highlighting the growing concern among the public.
This report was updated July 1st, 2025.
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