Lakelands Public Health (LPH) officials are warning about rising tick populations in Ontario, resulting in a near doubling of known local Lyme disease cases since 2022.
The health unit’s Dr. Stephen McCarthy said data collected by Public Health Ontario in recent years shows several tick-borne diseases are on the rise. He blamed the recent phenomenon on climate change.
“It’s continually changing our environment. The geography of animals keeps moving. As deer populations move north, ticks follow,” McCarthy said.
The black-legged tick is prevalent in the great lakes region, but McCarthy said other forms of the species, such as the Lonestar tick, are starting to move north from the southern U.S. He said, on average, tick species are advancing 35-40 kilometres per year.
McCarthy said about 20-30 per cent of ticks carry Lyme disease, which can be transmitted to humans. He said it takes about 24 hours for the disease to be passed from a latched-on tick. Key signs include a bullseye-like rash, fever and fatigue. It can be treated with antibiotics within the first three days.
In 2022, health units identified 75 cases of Lyme in the region covering Haliburton, Peterborough and Northumberland counties and Kawartha Lakes. Last year, there were about 180 confirmed cases.
“Untreated, Lyme can lead to serious health complications including heart damage, arthritis, and nervous system issues such as facial weakness, nerve pain or meningitis,” McCarthy said.
Dr. Thomas Piggott, LPH medical officer of health, said he was cottaging in Haliburton County with his family recently when he noticed a tick had latched onto his daughter. He removed it quickly and there were no side effects.
“Catching them within that first 24 hours is crucial,” Piggott said, noting the insects can also harm pets.
Public Health Ontario expanded its human testing and tick surveillance programs in 2023. It also introduced a citizen science component, releasing the app ‘etick’ so people can report sightings of ticks anywhere in Ontario.
McCarthy said the province has provided a map showing tick “problem areas,” featuring four Highlands locations, including the Kennisis trail in Algonquin Highlands, the Scotch Line trailhead in Minden Hills, Ganaraska Hiking Trail in the Queen Elizabeth Wetlands and the Haliburton Sculpture Forest.
Piggott said while ticks can pose serious health risks, he didn’t think their increased presence was too concerning.
“I don’t want to instill a fear of ticks and Lyme disease. Healthy awareness is important, but we don’t want people to be afraid of going outdoors,” Piggott said. “As these populations expand, we need to normalize checking ourselves for ticks all the time.”
