The provincial government of Nova Scotia has allocated $1.2 million to support ongoing research on tick-borne illnesses at Acadia University’s laboratory. Nicoletta Faraone, who heads the Canadian Tick Research and Innovation Centre, emphasized the crucial role of these funds in establishing and enhancing the lab’s operations.
The funding will primarily be utilized for the surveillance program conducted by the lab, focusing on identifying the types of ticks present in the province, the pathogens they carry, and their response to repellents and attractants. Ticks, known for transmitting diseases like Lyme disease and anaplasmosis through their bites, pose significant health risks to humans.
The lab boasts cutting-edge equipment that will expedite the process of testing for pathogens, ultimately enhancing the understanding of ticks and improving strategies to minimize exposure to tick bites, Faraone explained.
The financial support stems from Research Nova Scotia’s Focused Research Initiative, which is backed by the Department of Advanced Education. Stefan Leslie, the CEO of Research Nova Scotia, underlined the growing importance of addressing tick-borne diseases for both humans and animals, emphasizing the need for practical research solutions beyond laboratory settings.
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Tick-borne illness on the rise in Nova Scotia
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N.S. vet clinics noticing rise in one tick-borne disease
Recent data from the Public Health Agency of Canada indicates a surge in Lyme disease cases nationwide, with Nova Scotia accounting for 40% of the reported cases in 2024. Additionally, other tick-borne illnesses such as anaplasmosis, caused by blacklegged ticks, are on the rise, as highlighted in a related CBC article.
Following the inclusion of anaplasmosis as a notifiable disease in Nova Scotia in 2023, reported cases have nearly doubled, reaching 681 cases in the past year.
Support for Tick Breeding Efforts
Apart from the provincial funding, the federal government is contributing $455,000 through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency to aid in tick breeding initiatives at Acadia University. This support will enable the lab to continue its efforts in breeding ticks locally instead of purchasing them from external sources.
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