New research identifies tick-borne pathogens spreading outside their normal range Ontario, Quebec

Residents of Ontario and Quebec may soon have to monitor for more tick-borne pathogens as new research shows them spreading outside their regular geographical range. The pathogens include Babesia odocoilei, which spreads babesiosis, and Rickettsia rickettsii, which Rocky Mountain spotted fever. “The presence of these pathogens changes the risk of disease for Canadians and animals in some densely populated areas of Canada,” Kirsten Crandall, lead author of the study and a PhD candidate in the departments of biology at McGill University said in a press release about the study. Crandall conducted an extensive study of small mammals and ticks collected from sixteen sites in Ontario and Quebec. The most common pathogens she detected were Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacterium that causes Lyme disease, and Babesia species. A Hepatozoon pathogen, which is carried by ticks, was detected in mice. Crandall also found evidence suggesting that Babesia odocoilei and Rickettsia rickettsii can spread from adult female ticks to larval ticks. Usually, pathogens spread to ticks once they feed on an infected host. She noted that future studies on tick-borne pathogen spread should include all stages of the tick life cycle. Illnesses spread by ticks are often not reported to public health, making it difficult to track their range and prevalence. “Only two tick-borne pathogens are listed as nationally notifiable diseases in Canada: Lyme disease (Borrelia burgdorferi) and tularemia (Francisella tularensis). However, we are seeing increased cases of diseases like anaplasmosis and babesiosis in humans in Canada,” Crandall said. “If we don’t know that pathogens are present, we can’t equip Canadians with the information they need to protect themselves,” said Jeremy Kerr, an author of the study and professor and research chair in the University of Ottawa’s department of biology. “COVID has diverted public health resources away from challenges like this one, and we need to remember that these tick-borne diseases are on the move too.” The researchers note that the geographic range of tick-borne pathogens has increased due to climate change, habitat fragmentation and alterations in tick populations and their hosts. Crandell’s study is published in Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases. Read: Climate Changed: Canada's health system isn't ready for new reality, say doctors

New research identifies tick-borne pathogens spreading outside their normal range Ontario, Quebec

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