Across North America, a concerning trend is emerging: tick-borne illnesses are on the rise, and experts point to climate change as a major driving force. Diseases like Lyme are becoming increasingly prevalent, alongside the introduction of other, potentially serious, tick-borne ailments. What do these emerging risks mean for public health?
Heather Coatsworth, chief of field studies at the National Microbiology Laboratory in Winnipeg, explains the core problem. “Climate change…is happening at a much more accelerated rate than we see in parts of the rest of the world. Ticks…require a certain amount of heat and humidity to complete their life cycle.” As temperatures climb and humidity patterns shift, tick populations are expanding their range and thriving in areas previously inhospitable to them.
The consequences are being felt acutely in communities across the continent. Ontario, Quebec, and Nova Scotia remain hotspots for blacklegged ticks, notorious vectors of disease. However, previously unaffected regions, including Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and British Columbia, are witnessing a surge in tick activity.
“There’s no doubt that it has changed and the education hasn’t caught up with some of the doctors.” , Janet Sperling, Canadian Lyme Disease Foundation
Janet Sperling, president of the Canadian Lyme Disease Foundation, emphasizes the urgent need for increased awareness among both the public and healthcare providers. “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,’” she says, highlighting a critical gap in medical knowledge that needs to be addressed.
The escalating cases of Lyme disease paint a clear picture. In 2009, when monitoring began, Canada reported a mere 144 cases. By 2024, preliminary counts soared to 5,239. Coatsworth cautions that this figure likely underestimates the true burden of the disease, as many cases go undiagnosed due to vague or general symptoms.
An Unexpected Anomaly: Reports from local residents detail ticks appearing earlier in the season and remaining active later into the fall. Immediate Reaction: Increased use of insect repellent, vigilant tick checks, and heightened anxiety about spending time outdoors. Lingering Question: Are our current preventative measures enough to combat this growing threat?
“The moment things shifted,” according to Sarah Miller, a resident of rural Manitoba, “was when we started finding ticks in our own backyard, not just when we went hiking. That’s when we knew things were getting worse.” This sentiment echoes the concerns of many who feel that the risk is now closer to home than ever before.
What can you do to protect yourself and your family? Here’s a look at the illnesses and how to safely enjoy the outdoors:
- Lyme disease: Symptoms can include fever, chills, fatigue, headache, swollen lymph nodes, and muscle/joint aches. A telltale bull’s-eye rash may appear, but it’s absent in about 30% of cases.
- Anaplasmosis: Often referred to as “the new kid on the block,” anaplasmosis is rapidly increasing. Symptoms are similar to Lyme disease (without a rash) and can also include cough, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and vomiting. Cases have gone from 10-50 a year a decade ago to over 700 last year.
- Babesiosis: Similar to Lyme disease without a rash, it often causes anemia.
- Powassan virus: This virus can cause fever, chills, headache, vomiting, and weakness, and can progress to serious neurological symptoms like encephalitis and meningitis.
While Lyme disease and anaplasmosis are treatable with antibiotics, babesiosis requires anti-parasitic medication. Sadly, there is no specific treatment for Powassan virus, and care focuses on supportive measures.
Experts emphasize that increased awareness and proactive prevention are paramount. Public health officials urge individuals to take the following steps:
- Wear long sleeves and pants when possible, especially in wooded or grassy areas.
- Use insect repellent containing DEET or picaridin.
- Stick to the center of trails when hiking to avoid contact with foliage.
- After outdoor activities, perform a thorough tick check, paying attention to areas like the hairline, armpits, and groin.
- Shower or bathe as soon as possible to wash off any unattached ticks.
- Wash and dry clothing on high heat to kill any ticks that may be present.
Dr. Curtis Russell, a vector-borne disease specialist at Public Health Ontario, highlights the importance of proper tick removal. “A lot of people are very surprised when I show them a blacklegged tick. They can’t believe how small they are,” he says, noting that an unfed adult tick is about the size of a sesame seed.
If you find a tick, remove it immediately with tweezers, gripping it as close to the skin as possible and pulling straight up without twisting. Monitor for symptoms, and contact your healthcare provider if any develop.
The rise in tick-borne illnesses is a wake-up call. As climate change continues to reshape our environment, understanding the risks and taking preventative measures is key to safeguarding public health. Failing to adopt will only accelerate the spread of devastating diseases.
Community support is also essential. Sharing experiences and information on social media platforms like X.com and Facebook can help raise awareness and encourage others to be vigilant. “I saw a post on instagram about someone finding three ticks on their dog after a short walk in the park,” writes one user, “it made me realize I need to be extra careful.”
Ultimately, tackling this growing threat requires a multi-pronged approach: increased public education, enhanced medical training, and concerted action to address climate change. The stakes are high, and the time to act is now.