The provincial government of Nova Scotia has allocated $1.2 million to support ongoing research on tick-borne illnesses at a laboratory within Acadia University. Nicoletta Faraone, who heads the Canadian Tick Research and Innovation Centre, emphasized the significance of this funding in establishing and enhancing the lab’s operations.
The allocated funds will be utilized for the lab’s surveillance program, focusing on identifying tick species 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.
The cutting-edge equipment at the lab will expedite the process of testing pathogens, contributing to a better understanding of ticks and enhancing preparedness to minimize tick bite exposure. The funding is part of Research Nova Scotia’s Focused Research Initiative, supported by the Department of Advanced Education.
CEO Stefan Leslie of Research Nova Scotia emphasized the importance of research that can transcend laboratory settings and be practically applied to address the growing challenge of tick-borne diseases affecting both humans and animals.
Public Health Agency of Canada data from 2024 revealed over 5,800 reported cases of Lyme disease nationwide, with Nova Scotia accounting for 2,350 cases, representing 40% of the national total. Cases of other tick-borne illnesses like anaplasmosis are also on the rise, with Nova Scotia witnessing an increase from 317 cases in 2023 to 681 cases in the following year.
In addition to the provincial funding, the federal government is contributing $455,000 through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency to support the project. This financial backing will enable the laboratory to continue its research, including the breeding of ticks on-site.
Previously, the lab sourced ticks from the sole known tick-breeding facility in North America at Oklahoma State University, costing $5 per tick. Local tick breeding will allow researchers to study the genetic characteristics of Canadian ticks and generate revenue by supplying specimens to researchers across Canada and internationally.
Faraone confirmed that the tickery is operational, with ticks collected throughout different seasons to facilitate breeding. The focus is on creating optimal conditions for colony multiplication.
For more information, you can access the source [here](https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/acadia-tick-lab-funding-9.7320252).