Nova Scotia’s Acadia University lab is set to receive $1.2 million in funding from the provincial government for ongoing research on tick-borne diseases. The Canadian Tick Research and Innovation Centre, led by Nicoletta Faraone, will utilize the funds to support its surveillance program, which investigates the types of ticks present in the region, the pathogens they carry, and their responses to repellents and attractants.
Tick-borne illnesses, including Lyme disease and anaplasmosis, can be transmitted to humans through tick bites. The lab boasts cutting-edge equipment that accelerates the pathogen-testing process, enhancing their understanding of tick behavior. Faraone emphasized the importance of this research in enhancing preparedness and reducing the risk of tick bites.
The funding, part of Research Nova Scotia’s Focused Research Initiative supported by the Department of Advanced Education, aims to address the growing challenge of tick-borne diseases. According to information from the Public Health Agency of Canada, Nova Scotia reported over 2,350 cases of Lyme disease in 2024, representing 40% of the national total. Anaplasmosis cases are also on the rise, with reported cases doubling in Nova Scotia from 317 in 2023 to 681 in the following year.
Additionally, the federal government is contributing $455,000 to the project through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency. This funding will enable the lab to continue its work on breeding ticks locally, a task previously outsourced to a facility in the United States. The ability to breed ticks in-house will allow for detailed genetic studies and generate revenue by supplying specimens to researchers nationwide and internationally.
Faraone confirmed that the tick-breeding program is operational, with ticks collected throughout the seasons. The lab is focused on optimizing environmental conditions to support tick reproduction and enhance research efforts.