The Decibel What you should know about Canada’s growing tick problem
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Jul 14, 2025 Jennifer Yang, a health and science reporter for The Globe and Mail, shares alarming insights from Nova Scotia’s South Shore about the burgeoning tick population and the surge in Lyme disease cases. She recounts personal stories from residents facing this growing threat, drawing parallels to the psychological impacts experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic. The conversation touches on the urgent need for awareness, advancements in tick repellents, and the controversial history of Lyme disease vaccines, highlighting a community's call for government action.
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Severe Lyme Disease in Child
- Lisa Learning's son experienced severe joint swelling caused by Lyme disease.
- His condition worsened to the point of needing a walker and hospital care.
Ticks Thriving Due to Climate Change
- Tick populations in Canada have exploded since the 1990s due to warming winters.
- Ticks can survive harsh Canadian winters in microclimates and live multiple years.
Rising Lyme Disease Risks
- Lyme disease rates in Canada have increased tenfold from 2014 to 2024.
- Black-legged ticks can carry seven pathogens harmful to humans.