The provincial government in Nova Scotia has allocated $1.2 million to support ongoing research at a laboratory within Acadia University focusing on the prevention and management of tick-borne diseases.
Nicoletta Faraone, who heads the Canadian Tick Research and Innovation Centre, emphasized the crucial role of this funding in establishing and enhancing the lab’s operations.
The allocated funds will primarily be utilized for the lab’s surveillance program, which involves studying the types of ticks present in the region, the pathogens they harbor, and their responses to repellents and attractants.
Tick bites can transmit various diseases to humans, including Lyme disease and anaplasmosis.
The lab boasts cutting-edge equipment that will expedite the process of testing for pathogens, as stated by Faraone.
Faraone highlighted that the ultimate goal is to deepen the understanding of ticks and enhance preparedness to minimize exposure to tick bites.
The funding is sourced from Research Nova Scotia’s Focused Research Initiative, which is backed by the Department of Advanced Education.
Stefan Leslie, CEO of Research Nova Scotia, emphasized the significance of conducting research that can transition from the laboratory to practical implementation in tackling the escalating challenge posed by tick-borne diseases.
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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 revealed a significant increase in Lyme disease cases, with over 5,800 reported cases nationwide in 2024, including 2,350 cases in Nova Scotia, accounting for 40% of the national total.
Rising instances of other tick-borne diseases, such as anaplasmosis, a bacterial infection transmitted by blacklegged ticks and brown dog ticks, have also been observed.
Since anaplasmosis was designated as a notifiable disease in Nova Scotia in 2023, reported cases have surged from 317 to 681 in the following year.
Support for Tick Breeding
Acadia University revealed that the federal government is contributing an additional $455,000 to the project through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency.
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