Nova Scotia’s Acadia University laboratory is set to receive $1.2 million in funding from the provincial government to further its studies on tick-borne illnesses. Nicoletta Faraone, who heads the Canadian Tick Research and Innovation Centre, emphasized the crucial role of this funding 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 response to repellents and attractants. Tick bites can transmit various diseases, including Lyme disease and anaplasmosis, to humans.
With cutting-edge equipment at their disposal, the lab aims to expedite the pathogen-testing process. Faraone highlighted the importance of gaining a deeper understanding of ticks and enhancing preparedness to minimize the risk of tick bites.
The financial support is part of Research Nova Scotia’s Focused Research Initiative, backed by the Department of Advanced Education. Stefan Leslie, the CEO of Research Nova Scotia, stressed the urgency of addressing tick-borne diseases, emphasizing the need for practical research solutions beyond laboratory settings.
Recent data from the Public Health Agency of Canada revealed a significant rise in Lyme disease cases nationwide, with Nova Scotia accounting for 40% of reported cases in 2024. Anaplasmosis, another tick-borne illness, has also been on the rise in the province since its classification as a notifiable disease in 2023.
In addition to the provincial funding, the federal government is contributing $455,000 to the project through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency. This financial boost will enable the lab to continue its tick breeding efforts, a significant development that will facilitate the study of Canadian ticks’ genetic composition.
Previously reliant on tick purchases from a facility in the U.S., the Acadia lab can now breed ticks locally, allowing for in-depth genetic research. Faraone mentioned plans to sell tick specimens to researchers nationally and internationally, turning the breeding program into a revenue-generating initiative.
As the tickery at Acadia University progresses with tick breeding activities throughout the seasons, researchers are actively monitoring optimal conditions for tick colony expansion, aiming to further advancements in tick-related research and prevention strategies.