Nova Scotia’s Acadia University lab has secured $1.2 million in funding from the provincial government for ongoing research into tick-borne diseases prevention and management. The Canadian Tick Research and Innovation Centre, led by Nicoletta Faraone, expressed gratitude for the crucial funding that will support their surveillance program. This initiative aims to identify the types of ticks present in the region, the pathogens they carry, and their response to repellents or attractants.
Ticks, known for transmitting diseases like Lyme disease and anaplasmosis through their bites, pose a significant health risk to humans. The lab, equipped with cutting-edge technology, will expedite the pathogen-testing process to enhance understanding of ticks and improve strategies for reducing tick bites.
The funding, part of Research Nova Scotia’s Focused Research Initiative supported by the Department of Advanced Education, underscores the growing importance of addressing tick-borne diseases. Stefan Leslie, CEO of Research Nova Scotia, emphasized the need for practical research solutions to combat these diseases effectively.
Recent data from the Public Health Agency of Canada revealed a rising trend in tick-borne illnesses, with over 5,800 reported cases of Lyme disease nationwide in 2024, including 2,350 cases in Nova Scotia alone. Anaplasmosis, another tick-borne illness, has also seen an increase in reported cases, with Nova Scotia witnessing a surge from 317 cases in 2023 to 681 cases in the following year.
In addition to the provincial funding, the federal government is contributing $455,000 through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency to support tick breeding research at Acadia University. This investment will enable the lab to breed ticks locally, a significant advancement as it previously had to purchase ticks from the sole tick-breeding facility in North America. Breeding ticks on-site will allow researchers to study the genetic composition of Canadian ticks and generate revenue by selling specimens to tick researchers domestically and internationally.
The breeding program is already operational, with ticks collected during the fall, spring, and summer seasons. Faraone highlighted the importance of monitoring environmental conditions for optimal tick colony growth. This development signifies a significant step towards advancing tick research and enhancing preparedness against tick-borne diseases.