Impact of Environmental Changes on Tick-Borne Diseases in Canada

Environmental changes are increasing the risk of tick-borne diseases in Canada. Scientists have documented rising temperatures, shifting rainfall patterns, and more frequent extreme weather events. However, the most significant driver appears to be global warming and the steady increase in temperature.

Canada has already seen a growing number of tick-borne diseases, including Lyme disease, Anaplasmosis, Babesiosis, Powassan virus, and Borrelia miyamotoi disease, writes Bouchard and colleagues. [1]

“Increased temperature increases the survival and activity period of ticks, expands the range of both reservoir and tick hosts (e.g. mice and deer), and lengthens the season when people may be exposed,” the authors warn.

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Longer Tick Activity Season

“Most ticks are active from the time that the snow melts in the spring until the reappearance of snow cover in the fall,” writes Bouchard. Ticks can begin questing when air temperatures reach 4ºC–10°C (39.2°F–50°F).

An extended tick season increases the likelihood of human exposure, highlighting the importance of consistent tick prevention strategies, including personal protection and tick checks.

Expanding Tick Habitat

Climate change also affects reproduction and reservoir hosts necessary for the tick life cycle. Rising temperatures are expected to expand the geographic range, abundance, and activity of rodents and deer.

This expansion increases the likelihood that tick populations will spread into new regions, contributing to the rise in tick-borne diseases.

Implications for Patients and Clinicians

As environmental changes continue, clinicians play a critical role in early recognition, testing, and management of these infections. Early identification of tick-borne diseases can help reduce complications.

Patients in endemic and emerging regions should be aware of symptoms and risk factors, as exposure risk is increasing with changing environmental conditions.