Concerns over dangerous tick-borne illnesses are higher than ever in Nova Scotia, alongside a rising number of reported diseases caused by tick bites. “We’re seeing a gradual increase in diseases like anaplasmosis,” said Dr. Paul Bonner, an infectious disease specialist. 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. Anaplasmosis is a bacterial infection passed to humans through tick bites. It can be treated with antibiotics. “It is more like a flu-like illness with a fever, muscle aches and headaches during tick season,” Bonnar said. “It does put more of a strain on the healthcare system and certainly it’s important for folks to recognize the illnesses and seeking early care.” 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. “It is news you don’t want to hear,” Fox said. According to Nicoletta Faraone, a biochemist at Acadia University, tick bites are more dangerous than ever. “The black legged ticks are more likely to be found passing multiple infections,’ she said. Ticks thrive in warmer weather Anaplasmosis, Lyme disease and Powassan virus are all causing increased concern in Nova Scotia. 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. “You can see that there is an exponential increase and is it because the tick population has increased over time? Yes,” Faraone said. “But 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.” Faraone said anyone concerned about a tick bite should see a doctor right away to avoid getting sick. In 2021, Nova Scotia authorized pharmacists to prescribe an antibiotic for the prevention of Lyme disease.
