A laboratory at Acadia University in Nova Scotia has secured $1.2 million in funding from the provincial government to continue its research on preventing and managing tick-borne diseases. Nicoletta Faraone, who heads the Canadian Tick Research and Innovation Centre, emphasized the importance of these funds in establishing and enhancing the lab’s capabilities.
The allocated funds will be utilized for the lab’s surveillance program, which focuses on identifying the types of ticks present in the region, the pathogens they carry, and their response to repellents and attractants. Tick bites can transmit various diseases to humans, including Lyme disease and anaplasmosis.
With cutting-edge equipment at their disposal, the lab aims to expedite the process of testing pathogens. Faraone highlighted that the primary goal is to expand knowledge about ticks and enhance preparedness to minimize exposure to tick-borne illnesses.
The financial support stems from Research Nova Scotia’s Focused Research Initiative, funded by the Department of Advanced Education. Stefan Leslie, the CEO of Research Nova Scotia, emphasized the significance of advancing research beyond theoretical studies to practical applications in combating tick-borne diseases.
According to recent data from the Public Health Agency of Canada, there were over 5,800 reported cases of Lyme disease nationwide in 2024, with Nova Scotia alone accounting for 2,350 cases, representing 40% of the national total. Additionally, cases of other tick-borne illnesses like anaplasmosis are on the rise in the region.
In a bid to further support the research efforts, the federal government is contributing an additional $455,000 through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency. This funding will enable the lab to continue its initiative to breed ticks locally, a significant step forward in studying the genetic composition of Canadian ticks.
Previously reliant on purchasing ticks from a facility in North America, the ability to breed ticks internally at Acadia University will not only facilitate genetic studies but also create a revenue stream by selling specimens to researchers nationally and internationally. The breeding program has already commenced, with ticks collected throughout the fall, spring, and summer, laying eggs for future research.
The initiative to breed ticks locally marks a milestone in tick research, showcasing a commitment to understanding and tackling tick-borne diseases effectively.