The provincial government in Nova Scotia is granting $1.2 million to Acadia University’s lab for ongoing research into tick-borne illnesses prevention and management. Nicoletta Faraone, who heads the Canadian Tick Research and Innovation Centre, emphasized the crucial role of this funding in establishing and enhancing the lab’s operations. The funds will primarily support the lab’s surveillance program, which investigates the tick species present in the province, the pathogens they carry, and their reactions to repellents and attractants.
Tick bites can transmit various diseases like Lyme disease and anaplasmosis to humans. Faraone highlighted that the lab has cutting-edge equipment that will expedite the pathogen-testing process. The objective is to gain a deeper understanding of ticks and enhance preparedness in minimizing tick bite exposure.
The financial support stems from Research Nova Scotia’s Focused Research Initiative, sponsored by the Department of Advanced Education. Stefan Leslie, CEO of Research Nova Scotia, emphasized the importance of practical research in tackling the growing challenge of tick-borne diseases for both people and animals.
Recent data from the Public Health Agency of Canada revealed over 5,800 reported cases of Lyme disease nationwide in 2024, with Nova Scotia accounting for 2,350 cases, representing 40% of the national total. Additionally, other tick-borne illnesses such as anaplasmosis are on the rise, with reported cases increasing substantially.
The federal government is also contributing $455,000 to the project through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, according to Acadia University. This funding will enable the lab to sustain its efforts in breeding ticks locally, a significant development that will allow researchers to study the genetic characteristics of Canadian ticks. Faraone noted that the breeding program will not only generate revenue but also facilitate collaborations with tick researchers nationally and internationally.
The Acadia lab had previously relied on purchasing ticks from the sole tick-breeding facility in North America at Oklahoma State University. With the new capability to breed ticks on-site, researchers are actively monitoring and optimizing environmental conditions for tick colony expansion.
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