The provincial government in Nova Scotia has allocated $1.2 million to support ongoing research on tick-borne illnesses at Acadia University’s laboratory. Nicoletta Faraone, who heads the Canadian Tick Research and Innovation Centre, emphasized the crucial role of this funding in establishing and enhancing the lab’s capabilities.
The allocated funds will primarily be directed towards the lab’s surveillance program, focusing on identifying tick species in the region, analyzing the pathogens they carry, and evaluating their responses to repellents and attractants. Tick bites can transmit various diseases like Lyme disease and anaplasmosis to humans.
The lab is equipped with advanced technology to expedite the process of testing pathogens. Faraone highlighted the importance of this research not only in expanding knowledge about ticks but also in better preparing to minimize the risk of tick bites.
Funding for this initiative comes from Research Nova Scotia’s Focused Research Initiative, supported by the Department of Advanced Education. Stefan Leslie, the CEO of Research Nova Scotia, emphasized the significance of conducting research that can be translated into practical solutions to combat the growing threat of tick-borne diseases.
Recent data from the Public Health Agency of Canada revealed a significant increase in reported Lyme disease cases nationwide, with Nova Scotia alone accounting for 40% of the cases. Additionally, cases of other tick-borne illnesses such as anaplasmosis are also on the rise in the region.
Apart from the provincial funding, the federal government is contributing $455,000 to the project through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency. This financial support will enable the lab to continue its work on breeding ticks locally, a crucial aspect for studying the genetic composition of Canadian ticks.
Previously, the lab had to purchase ticks from the only known tick-breeding facility in North America, located at Oklahoma State University. By establishing its own tick-breeding program, researchers will have the opportunity to delve into the genetic diversity of Canadian ticks. Faraone also mentioned plans to sell tick specimens to researchers across Canada and internationally, making the breeding program a potential source of revenue.
The tick-breeding facility at Acadia University is now operational, with ticks collected throughout different seasons. Researchers are closely monitoring environmental conditions to optimize tick breeding and population growth.
In summary, the financial support from both provincial and federal sources is pivotal in advancing research on tick-borne illnesses and enhancing preparedness to combat these diseases effectively.