The provincial government of Nova Scotia has allocated $1.2 million to the laboratory at Acadia University for ongoing research on tick-borne illnesses prevention and management. Nicoletta Faraone, who heads the Canadian Tick Research and Innovation Centre, emphasized the critical role of these funds in establishing and expanding the lab’s operations.
The laboratory will utilize the funding for its surveillance initiative, which studies the types of ticks present in the region, the pathogens they carry, and their responses to repellents and attractants. Tick bites can transmit various diseases like Lyme disease and anaplasmosis to humans.
Faraone highlighted the advanced equipment in the lab that will expedite the pathogen-testing procedures, aiming to enhance knowledge about ticks and bolster preparedness in reducing tick exposure.
Research Nova Scotia’s Focused Research Initiative, supported by the Department of Advanced Education, provided the funding. Stefan Leslie, the CEO of Research Nova Scotia, emphasized the importance of research that transitions from the laboratory to practical applications in combating the growing challenge of tick-borne diseases.
Recent data from the Public Health Agency of Canada revealed over 5,800 reported cases of Lyme disease nationwide in 2024, with Nova Scotia alone accounting for 40% of these cases. The rise of other tick-borne illnesses like anaplasmosis has also been observed, with the number of reported cases increasing significantly.
In addition to the provincial funding, the federal government is contributing $455,000 through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency to support the Acadia University project. This financial support will enable the lab to sustain its efforts in breeding ticks locally, a practice previously reliant on purchasing ticks from an Oklahoma State University facility.
The ability to breed ticks on-site will facilitate the study of Canadian tick genetics and serve as a revenue source by supplying specimens to researchers nationwide and internationally. Faraone confirmed the successful establishment of the tick-breeding program and ongoing efforts to optimize the environmental conditions for tick colony expansion.
The initiative at Acadia University signifies a significant step towards in-depth tick research and innovative solutions for addressing tick-borne illnesses, reflecting a proactive approach to public health challenges.