Global Courant
Ontario’s top doctor expects a growing number of cases of three types of tick-borne diseases in the province, in addition to Lyme disease – a spread he says is directly linked to climate change.
A new regulation that goes into effect this weekend requires healthcare providers in Ontario to report cases of anaplasmosis, babesiosis and the Powassan virus to their local medical officials.
There have been anecdotal reports and publications about the three diseases found in Ontario in recent years, but the province must now formally follow up on them, said Dr. Kieran Moore, Chief Medical Officer of Health.
“We can now count and track when these diseases occur, plot it for a risk map and inform the public when these diseases become more common,” he said in an interview.
“It is definitely to be expected that we will have a higher incidence in the coming years as this is a known wave of infections that we have seen migrating along the coastline of northeastern North America and we expect them to affect Ontario residents .”
Over the past 20 years, the incidence of Lyme disease has increased because ticks, especially black-legged ticks, can survive the winters, Moore said. The United States has seen waves of anaplasmosis, babesiosis and the Powassan virus following cases of Lyme disease, Moore said, and he expects the same in Ontario.
“It’s simply because of the ability of these ticks, which can now survive our winters and stay and breed through their two-year life cycle,” Moore said.
This undated photo from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows a black-legged tick, also known as a deer tick. Ontario’s top doctor expects a growing number of cases of three types of tick-borne diseases in the province, in addition to Lyme disease – a spread he says is directly linked to climate change. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-CDC via AP
“We’ve seen them migrate from the Middle East of the United States and now that wave of migration that we’ve seen going through Connecticut and New York and these diseases are following in the footsteps of Lyme disease and we expect to have more. ” instances of this.”
Anaplasmosis is caused by bacteria that enter a person’s bloodstream through a tick bite. It causes fever and chills, but can also suppress bone marrow and the production of white and red blood cells and platelets, Moore said.
Babesiosis, on the other hand, presents similarly to malaria, he said. Ticks transmit intracellular parasites, which enter a person’s red blood cells and cause them to burst, so people can develop anemia along with fever and chills.
Most Powassan virus infections are asymptomatic, but people may have a fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, weakness, or pain. But after an acute phase and a period of remission, an infected person may experience confusion, loss of coordination, difficulty speaking, paralysis, seizures or coma, said Associate Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Michelle Murti.
“About 50 percent of people who survive a serious illness have long-term health problems, such as recurrent headaches, loss of muscle mass and strength, and memory problems,” she said.
According to the United States Centers for Disease Control, there is no specific treatment for Powassan virus disease, but the patient’s symptoms are controlled. Anaplasmosis and babesiosis can be treated with antibiotics for symptomatic cases.
To prevent tick bites, people who spend time outdoors are advised to use insect repellents and wear permethrin-treated clothing, then perform a daily tick check. Anyone who finds a tick should see a doctor if they develop a fever within a month, Moore said.
This report from The Canadian Press was first published on July 2, 2023.
