Blacklegged Tick Expansion: Ontario Residents Face Rising Lyme Disease Risk

Niagara, Ontario – A surge in blacklegged tick populations across Ontario is raising alarms among public health officials and outdoor enthusiasts alike. new research highlights a significant expansion of these disease-carrying pests, increasing the risk of Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses.

Tick Populations on the Rise: What you Need to Know

Brock University researchers are closely monitoring the spread of Ixodes scapularis, commonly known as blacklegged ticks or deer ticks, across the Niagara region. These ticks are known carriers of Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacteria responsible for Lyme disease.The team’s work aims to understand the factors driving the tick expansion and inform the public about potential health risks.

“Tick research is incredibly arduous,” explains Nick Benton, a Biological Sciences PhD student at Brock. “Identifying if these ticks are transmitting certain pathogens is important for modeling exposure risk and understanding how tick ranges and potential disease risks are expanding in an area.”

The growing Range of Blacklegged Ticks

Fiona Hunter, a medical and veterinary entomologist at Brock, notes that blacklegged ticks were found in only four of 30 Ontario sites evaluated back in 2009. Now,they can be found virtually anywhere in Niagara.

“From 2009 to now, you can go out virtually anywhere in Niagara and pick up Ixodes scapularis – that is a major public health concern,” Hunter states.”We have this deadly tick expanding its range; it started in southern Ontario, but it’s expanding its range northward.”

Evidence suggests that climate change and rising temperatures are major drivers of the tick population’s expansion.Warmer weather allows ticks to survive and thrive in new areas. Deer and mouse populations also play a role, as these animals serve as hosts for ticks in their different life stages.

Did You Know? According to the Public health Agency of Canada, cases of Lyme disease have been steadily increasing, reaching over 3,000 reported cases in 2021, highlighting the growing public health concern.

Identifying and Removing Ticks Safely

The good news is that ticks don’t begin feeding instantly. early detection and proper removal can prevent serious illness.

Benton advises, “It’s important to take out a tick as soon as possible, becuase the longer it feeds on you, the more likely it is to transmit pathogens into your bloodstream.” He recommends using forceps or tweezers to gently pull the tick straight out, avoiding damage to the tick.

Pro Tip: When removing a tick,avoid using heat (like a match) or substances like petroleum jelly,as these methods can cause the tick to burrow deeper or regurgitate infected fluids.

Beyond Lyme Disease: Other Tick-Borne Illnesses

While Lyme disease is the most well-known illness spread by tick bites, researchers are also testing for other pathogens, including:

• Anaplasma phagocytophilum (Anaplasmosis)
• Babesia microti (Babesiosis)
• Powassan virus (Powassan Virus disease)
• Rickettsia rickettsii (Rocky Mountain spotted fever)
• borrelia bacteria (Tick-borne relapsing fever)

Although rarer, these diseases can cause serious symptoms if left untreated.

“The diseases caused by these pathogens can cause serious symptoms or even death if left untreated,” Benton warns.

Protecting Yourself and Your Pets

Staying informed and taking precautions are the best ways to protect yourself and your family from tick-borne illnesses. Be vigilant when spending time outdoors, especially in wooded or grassy areas.

Here’s a quick comparison of common ticks and the diseases they may carry:

The research team plans to share their findings with the community, offering valuable insights into the risks present in their environment. Their goal is to empower residents with the knowledge and resources they need to stay safe.

Stay vigilant, stay informed, and protect yourself and your loved ones from the risks of Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses.

Have you encountered more ticks in your area lately? What precautions do you take to prevent tick bites? Share your experiences and tips in the comments below!

Disclaimer: This article provides general information and should not be considered medical advice.Consult with a healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment of any health concerns.

Blacklegged Tick Expansion Drives Lyme Disease Research in Ontario

Niagara, Ontario – A New Research Initiative at Brock University is focusing on the growing presence of Blacklegged Ticks, also known as deer ticks, and their potential to transmit Lyme disease and other dangerous illnesses. As any Hiker or Dog Walker can attest, Checking for Ticks is routine practice after being outdoors at this time of year. But with Tick populations on the rise across Ontario, Brock University Researchers want to spread awareness about the dangers of these pesky bloodsuckers by monitoring local Tick populations and testing them for pathogens that can spread diseases to humans and pets.

Monitoring tick Populations in Niagara

Biological Sciences Phd Student Nick Benton explains the difficulties of Tick Research,stating,”tick research is incredibly difficult because of how cryptic ticks can be.” He also states that “Being able to study the abundance and also identify if these Ticks are transmitting certain pathogens is important, not onyl for modelling the exposure risk for the greater community but also seeing trends into how these Tick ranges are expanding and potential disease risks in an area.” Benton and his team are currently collecting and testing Ticks in six areas across Niagara.

Their primary target is the Ixodes scapularis, commonly known as Blacklegged Ticks or Deer Ticks, which can transmit Borrelia burgdorferi, the causative agent of Lyme disease. These Ticks have a two-year life cycle consisting of four stages: eggs, larvae, nymphs, and adults.

Currently, nymphs and Adults are active, with the team focusing on sampling Nymphal Ticks. These tiny Ticks transmit pathogens and are exceptionally small, making them difficult to detect on the body before they pose a health risk. “The adults are the size of sesame seeds, and the nymphs are only the size of poppy seeds, so, imagine trying to find that on your body,” Benton says.

Expansion of Tick Populations Across Ontario

Fiona hunter, a Medical and Veterinary Entomologist at Brock, notes a clear expansion of Tick populations across Ontario. A Study completed in 2009 showed blacklegged Ticks in only four of 30 Ontario sites evaluated. “From 2009 to now, you can go out virtually anywhere in Niagara and pick up Ixodes scapularis – that is a major public health concern,” says Hunter.”We have this deadly Tick expanding its range; it started in southern Ontario, but it’s expanding its range northward.”

Climate Change and warmer Temperatures are key drivers for this expansion. Additionally, these Ticks feed on large ungulates like deer, so as deer populations increase, so do Ixodes scapularis populations. Mouse populations also play a role, as the smallest life stages of Ticks feed on mice. Good acorn years lead to more mice and, consequently, more deer Ticks.

Preventing tick-Borne Illnesses

Ticks don’t begin feeding right away, so awareness and rapid action can prevent serious illness. Benton advises,”It’s important to take out a Tick quickly,because the longer it feeds on you,the more likely it is to transmit pathogens into your bloodstream.”

If a Tick is attached, remove it with forceps or tweezers. “The most critically important thing is to make sure that you’re not damaging the Tick by burning, smothering or destroying it,” Benton says. “Get as close to the Tick’s head as possible, and gently and slowly pull it straight out, removing as much of the mouthparts as possible and keeping the Tick intact.”

Disclaimer: This article provides general facts about Ticks and Lyme disease. Consult with a healthcare professional for medical advice and treatment.

Other Tick Species and Pathogens

the Team is also monitoring for the American Dog tick, Groundhog Tick, and other species that can transmit pathogens. While Lyme disease is most well-known, Researchers also test for:

• Anaplasma phagocytophilum (Anaplasmosis)
• Babesia microti (Babesiosis)
• Powassan virus (powassan Virus disease)
• Rickettsia rickettsii (Rocky Mountain spotted fever)
• Borrelia bacteria (Tick-borne relapsing fever)

Although rarer than Lyme disease, these pathogens are growing in prevalence in North America. “the diseases caused by these pathogens can cause serious symptoms or even death if left untreated,” Benton adds. “We test for these extra pathogens so the community is aware of their presence and the risks a Tick bite from that area can possess.”

Research Results are expected mid-summer, with plans to inform the community. Benton states, “We want to translate our knowledge and resources into informing the community about potential risks in their surroundings…I have a passion for studying insects and for helping people – so I get to combine my passion for studying arthropods with helping people through medical entomology through this work.”

Have you encountered Ticks in your area? What precautions do you take? Share your experiences and questions in the comments below!