As the population of black-legged ticks continues to grow in southern Ontario, cases of both Lyme disease and the lesser-known anaplasmosis are on the rise. First detected in Ontario in 2018, anaplasmosis saw 40 reported cases in 2023.
What is Anaplasmosis? Anaplasmosis is caused by the bacterium Anaplasma phagocytophilum. Symptoms include fever, severe headache, muscle aches, fatigue, nausea, cough, and confusion. Spread by black-legged ticks, the bacteria infect white blood cells in both animals and humans. Like Lyme disease, anaplasmosis is treated with antibiotics.
Where Do Black-Legged Ticks Live? These ticks, also known as deer ticks, are commonly found in wooded and forested areas with thick underbrush, tall grasses, fields, and areas with accumulated dead leaves. They thrive in regions with established vector populations, including southwestern and northwestern Ontario, southern Quebec, southern Manitoba, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick.
How Common is Anaplasmosis? Since the first case in Ontario in 2018, the number of infections has steadily increased, with 40 cases reported in 2023. Eastern Ontario is a particular hot spot for tick-borne illnesses. Infections can occur year-round but are more common from April to September.
How Does One Become Infected? Ticks need 12 to 24 hours to transmit the bacteria causing anaplasmosis, compared to at least 24 hours for Lyme disease. Unlike Lyme disease, which often presents with a circular rash, anaplasmosis generally does not cause a rash. Symptoms typically appear one to two weeks after a tick bite.
Preventing Tick-Borne Illness Preventive measures include covering up with clothing, tucking pants into socks, and using insect repellent containing DEET. Wearing light-colored clothing can help spot ticks more easily. Regular checks for ticks while outside and a full-body check after coming indoors are crucial.
What to Do If You Find a Tick If you find a tick, use clean tweezers to grasp its head as close to the skin as possible and pull it out slowly and steadily. Avoid twisting or squeezing the tick to reduce the risk of infection.
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Reporting tick bites to public health authorities and submitting ticks for identification helps track tick populations and disease spread. Online tools and mobile apps like eTick.ca can assist in identifying ticks.
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