Tick sightings and cases of Lyme disease are increasing in Canada, but likely still being underdiagnosed, according to one infectious disease specialist.
Data from eTick.ca shows that tick reports are up 38.5 per cent nationwide compared to the same time last year. Meanwhile, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada, 7,105 cases of Lyme disease – the highest on record – were reported in 2025.
Health officials in Ontario, the province where most tick sightings originate, reported that there have been 359 cases of Lyme disease in the province since January, with 11 cases reported this week alone.
“And that’s still likely an underestimate of the true burden of Lyme disease in the country,” Dr. Isaac Bogoch told CP24 on Tuesday morning.
“We have to do more, for example, like having conversations like this, so that the general public is aware of it, so that frontline health-care providers are aware of it, and think about it as a potential diagnosis.”
Bogoch said while Lyme disease is on the rise, other infections Canadians may not have heard of are also being reported and will likely “expand” as climate change and other factors influence tick migration.
Unlike Lyme disease, which is caused by the bite of an infected blacklegged tick and monitored extensively, diseases like anaplasmosis, babesiosis and Powassan virus are lesser known among the public. Public Health Ontario (PHO) reports that there have been 36 cases of anaplasmosis since the start of the year and one case of Powassan virus. No cases of babesiosis have been reported in Ontario so far this year.
Bogoch explained the symptoms for those infections are “pretty vague,” and that someone might experience fever, muscle aches and pains and fatigue.
“But if you have that in the context of a tick bite, you go see a health-care professional, you say, ‘I’m worried I have a tick-transmitted illness,’ and that should trigger the health-care professional to order the appropriate tests,” Bogoch said.
- EXTENDED COVERAGE: Tick reports are surging in Canada. These areas are most affected.
There have also been reports of alpha-gal syndrome (AGS) in the United States, an allergy to red meat primarily associated with a bite from the lone star tick, which the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates has affected some 450,000 people.
While the lone star tick has been spotted in Ontario, a 2024 report on AGS by PHO notes that those ticks don’t have an “established” population locally and the risk of catching the disease is low.
“This isn’t something to be scared about. Enjoy (the outdoors), we have the best summers on the planet. We’re so lucky to live in Canada, where we have incredible nature. It’s just something to be aware of, right?” Bogoch explained.
How to keep yourself safe from ticks this summer
Bogoch advises that if you’re in an environment where ticks live, such as a wooded area or space with tall grass, it’s a good idea to put on some insect repellent.
He advised that products containing DEET are your best bet, while children should use Icardin. Pets can use repellent too, but owners are encouraged to talk to their veterinarians about prevention options as DEET can be toxic.
Beyond that, wearing pants and long sleeve shirts is a good preventative measure, weather permitting.
“And then, of course, do a tick check when you come inside. Sometimes it’s helpful to have someone look at the back of the legs or areas where we might not be able to see, and then remove the ticks right away,” he said.
Anyone who develops symptoms consistent with a tick bit should contact a health-care professional, Bogoch added.
With files from CTV News Journalist Daniel Otis
