Lyme disease isn’t the only concern as tick-borne illness rises in Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia is experiencing a rise in tick-borne illnesses, including both Lyme disease and the emerging threat of anaplasmosis. Experts attribute this increase to climate change, specifically warmer winters, and an expanding deer population.
Why it matters
The spread of tick-borne pathogens poses a growing public health risk, necessitating increased awareness and preventative measures as environmental conditions shift.
Nova Scotia is seeing a rise in tick-related diseases this year, and it’s not just Lyme disease.
Anaplasmosis, a tick-borne bacterial disease spread by black-legged ticks, is also spreading in the province.
As Nova Scotia’s climate continues to get warmer, one expert is warning about the growing risk of these illnesses and pathogens.
“We are also seeing that anaplasma that cause anaplasmosis is on the rise. So this is an evolution of the tick species able to effectively transmit and carry other pathogens,” said Nicoletta Faraone, director of the Canadian Tick Research and Innovation Centre and professor at Acadia University in Wolfville, N.S.
She adds two of the reasons for this higher disease risk are the shorter and warmer winters in the province and an expanding deer population.
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