Nova Scotia’s Acadia University laboratory will receive $1.2 million in funding from the provincial government to sustain its research on preventing and managing tick-borne diseases. Nicoletta Faraone, who heads the Canadian Tick Research and Innovation Centre, emphasized the crucial role of these funds in establishing and expanding the lab’s capabilities.
The allocated funds will support the lab’s surveillance program, focusing on identifying 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 to humans, including Lyme disease and anaplasmosis. Faraone highlighted the lab’s advanced equipment, which will enhance the efficiency of pathogen testing processes.
The funding, provided through Research Nova Scotia’s Focused Research Initiative and backed by the Department of Advanced Education, aims to address the growing challenge of tick-borne diseases. Stefan Leslie, CEO of Research Nova Scotia, emphasized the importance of research that can translate from the lab to practical applications in combating these illnesses.
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. An increase in other tick-borne illnesses, such as anaplasmosis, has also been observed, with Nova Scotia reporting a rise in cases from 317 to 681 within a year.
In addition to the provincial funding, the federal government is contributing $455,000 to the project through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency. This financial support will enable the lab to continue breeding ticks locally, a significant advancement that will facilitate the study of Canadian tick genetics and serve as a source of revenue by supplying specimens to researchers both nationally and internationally.
Faraone noted that the tick-breeding program at Acadia University is operational, with ticks collected throughout different seasons for breeding purposes. The initiative aims to optimize environmental conditions for tick colonies to multiply efficiently.
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