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Tick-borne infections in Canada FILE: A sign advising hikers of Ticks is shown on a trail in the woods. THE CANADIAN PRESS\/Graham Hughes Ticks thrive in warmer weather<\/p>\nCases of anaplasmosis and other tick-borne illnesses have increased considerably, and it has health professionals on high alert. <\/p>\n
Concerns over dangerous tick-borne illnesses are higher than ever in Nova Scotia, alongside a rising number of reported diseases caused by tick bites.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re seeing a gradual increase in diseases like anaplasmosis,\u201d said Dr. Paul Bonner, an infectious disease specialist.<\/p>\n
Bonnar added there has been a noticeable increase in tick-related diseases in recent years. Over a two-year period starting in 2023, the number of diagnosed cases for anaplasmosis doubled in Nova Scotia, jumping to 600 last year.<\/p>\n
Anaplasmosis is a bacterial infection passed to humans through tick bites. It can be treated with antibiotics.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is more like a flu-like illness with a fever, muscle aches and headaches during tick season,\u201d Bonnar said. \u201cIt does put more of a strain on the healthcare system and certainly it\u2019s important for folks to recognize the illnesses and seeking early care.\u201d<\/p>\n
When told of the rising number of in tick-borne illnesses, Halifax resident George Fox said he will now always check his body for ticks after walking in the park.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is news you don\u2019t want to hear,\u201d Fox said.<\/p>\n
According to Nicoletta Faraone, a biochemist at Acadia University, tick bites are more dangerous than ever.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe black legged ticks are more likely to be found passing multiple infections,\u2019 she said.<\/p>\n
Tick-borne infections in Canada FILE: A sign advising hikers of Ticks is shown on a trail in the woods. THE CANADIAN PRESS\/Graham Hughes Ticks thrive in warmer weather<\/p>\n
Anaplasmosis, Lyme disease and Powassan virus are all causing increased concern in Nova Scotia.<\/p>\n
Faraone said the number of reported tick-borne illnesses combined with recent mild winters and hot summers that allow ticks to thrive, points to an increase in the black-legged tick population.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou can see that there is an exponential increase and is it because the tick population has increased over time? Yes,\u201d Faraone said. \u201cBut it is also the passive surveillance that we are seeing, and people are actually looking for a tick, and they are finding them and then they are sending them for testing.\u201d<\/p>\n