Ticks are Waking Up Early
The recent warmer winters throughout Canada have led experts to warn that ticks have likely been active for weeks already.
With temperatures just above 4°C, ticks become active and seek hosts.
The shift in climate patterns and warmer temperatures are creating ideal conditions for ticks to flourish and broaden their geographic spread in Canada, bringing them into closer proximity with humans and pets, and increasing the likelihood of spreading tick-borne diseases.
Lyme disease, predominantly transmitted by deer ticks and caused by the Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria, stands as the most prevalent tick-borne illness in Canada. Its incidence has been rising, fueled by climate change, with reported cases jumping from 144 in 2009 to 2,168 in 2022, as per Health Canada statistics.
The reach of ticks in Canada is extending by about 46 kilometers annually, raising concerns about heightened encounters with ticks and the potential transmission of diseases such as Lyme disease, as reported by TickTalk Canada. Ticks, found in both wooded and urban areas, are transported via birds, mice, and deer, making parks, green spaces, trails, and even backyards potential habitats.
The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) has issued warnings that the increasing temperatures not only prolong the survival and active period of ticks but also expand their host range, thereby extending the duration of human risk exposure to ticks.
Moreover, PHAC has indicated the emergence and expected increase of four additional tick-borne illnesses: anaplasmosis, babesiosis, powassan virus, and Borrelia miyamotoi disease, alongside Lyme disease.
Google Play and the Google Play logo are trademarks of Google LLC.
