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Adam Vanderlaan, an inspector with Southeast Public Health, checks a cloth for ticks during a recent collection at Lemoine Point in Kingston on Friday, May 8, 2026. Photo by Meghan Balogh /The Kingston Whig-Standard
KINGSTON – When Mark Pesci went to brush his teeth one morning in 2024, he felt water running down his chin.
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“I looked up in the mirror, and half of my face was paralyzed,” Pesci said in a recent interview. “Obviously your first instinct is, ‘Oh no, did I suffer a stroke?’”
The paralysis of half his face came soon after experiences of extreme light sensitivity, migraines, and exhaustion, which were out of the ordinary for him.
Pesci went to Hotel Dieu Hospital where doctors quickly diagnosed him with Lyme disease based on his symptoms. He never found a tick bite or attached to him and doesn’t remember having a blood test for confirmation but did receive a CT scan just to ensure that his facial paralysis wasn’t due to another neurological issue.
“(I got) a three-week dose of antibiotics but I had to live with a partially paralyzed face across the entire right side,” he said.
He worked from home while recovering and signed up for some acupuncture treatment to help stimulate circulation.
Pesci shared his experience with about twelve neighbors during a group visit shortly after receiving treatment for his diagnosis.
“Around half of us had experienced some form of tick-borne illness which is quite alarming,” he said.
Pesc moved out rural Kingston back in 2023 after living downtown Toronto before quickly learning about how significant tick-borne illnesses could be around there through firsthand experience.
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“It was really difficult. But honestly speaking I feel lucky because what I went through lasted only three-and-a-half weeks. Now I’m feeling better than ever. Some people have chronic pain they deal with continuously. It can definitely be frightening.”
An adult female blacklegged tick crawls on Rebecca Roth’s finger who works as an inspector at Southeast Public Health at Lemoine Point in Kingston on Friday May eighth twenty twenty-six. Photo by Meghan Balogh /The Kingston Whig-Standard
What is a tick , and what pathogens do they carry in Ontario?
Ticks are arachnids similar to spiders and mites that pass through four life stages: egg , larva , nymph then adult. Life cycle lengths differ depending on species. According to Canada’s Government website , over forty different types of ticks reside within this country , frequently transported by migratory animals like birds deer or other hosts. Various species can carry distinct bacteria viruses or parasites that may cause sickness among humans as well as animals but not every tick carries these pathogens. Ticks only become infected when feeding off an infected host according to government sources. In Ontario , public health officials track not just Lyme disease caused by borrelia burgdorferi bacteria but also Powassan virus Babesiosis – brought about by microscopic parasites infecting red blood cells – along with Anaplasmosis linked back towards anaplasma phagocytophilum bacteria. This has yet been loaded however , your article goes onward beneath this sentence.“Anaplasmosis is newly reportable disease throughout Ontario ,” Dr. Laurawells said who serves as resident physician within preventive medicine field concerning public health working under southeast public health unit.” For most individuals experiencing anaplasmosis it’s generally mild flu-like symptoms usually resolve themselves without requiring any further medical assistance over thirty days tops However older adults or those immunocompromised might endure more severe illnesses.”
Wells noted babesiosis represents emerging infection nowadays too.
“Most persons don’t feel ill whatsoever nor have any symptoms unless mild flu-like signs emerge mostly affecting those above fifty years old along pre-existing conditions showing serious sickness levels ; both are treatable therefore.”
All these harmful pathogens originate predominantly via one main source : black-legged ticks commonly found across nearly every province nationwide while incidents arise mostly occurring throughout Ontario Quebec Nova Scotia regions specifically.
A two thousand twenty-four surveillance report recently highlights findings gathered throughout two thousand twenty-two indicating approximately one out of four black-legged ticks harbor Lyme-causing bacterium whilst one among thirty-five carries ones responsible for Anaplasmosis cases ; additionally recorded instances reveal parasite causing babesiosis appeared once per three hundred ninety-seven samples analyzed whereas Powassan virus disease occurred roughly once every nine hundred ninety samples examined./<this hasn’t been posted yet although you can still view anything below./
How has Tick Populations Changed Over Time ?
While clear evidence showing total numbers documenting specific types associated Canada existed two decades ago compared today isn’t available agency monitoring diseases spread via Ticks since two-thousand-nine includes statistics where initially only hundred thirty cases identified – primarily originating within Ontario’s borders then rapidly escalating upwards leading towards five thousand eight hundred nine infections being reported nationwide as per forecasts made earlier this year highlighting almost two thousand four hundreds solely attributed back again here locally situated nearby regions surrounding kingston observed five hundred fifty-five unique reports generated outlining occurrences tied precisely towards Lyme disease afflicting residents last year alone!
Just slightly away nestled aside off trail pathways branching throughout Lemoine Point conservation area right here inside Kingston separate inspectors collaborating collectively bearing down fabric segments white flannel dragged purposely thorough brushy bushes adorned head-to-toe entirely wrapped uniformed attire creating stark clinical impressions set amongst natural surroundings eliciting mere passing glances generated instantly appearing curious upon walking past freely engaging fellow outdoor recreationalists alike. P Local teams aimed strategically executing testing protocols investigating potential pathogens held captive within various collected specimens monitoring continuous movements reporting spikes revealing dangers related t exposure risks evidenced clearly existing present day circumstances thereby allowing us expand awareness levels rising concern directed directly addressing sustained increases seen lately concerning incidence rates affecting population altogether resulting even further following notable conclusions reaching vital information surrounding trends established prominently becoming flagged continually ensuring vigilance remains widespread factored mainly driven studies emphasizing necessary practices adopted publicly pursued measures applied actively counterbalancing current epidemic condition prevalent still lurking dangerously ahead everywhere around utilizing safe protection against unwanted intrusions occurring mostly unnoticed though. (P)In Twenty-Five spring seasons inclusive engagement initiatives taken tackled fluctuating temperatures observed varied results experienced whereby fifteen ticks tested positive carrying Borrelia burgdorferi responsible directly causing respective appearances seen confirming suspicions raised time after time henceforth repeated close scrutiny adhering standards set forth yielding satisfactory outputs witnessed assuring safety measures remained upheld consistently monitored post seasonal activities resumed vigorously acting accordingly whenever needed providing crucial information relayed effectively educating audiences avoiding unnecessary distress relating either personal lives impacted adversely whenever possible steering clear altogether risking physical confrontations wherever else deemed necessary maintaining utmost awareness safeguarding communal welfare enabling effective outcomes optimized thus far enjoyed returning gradually gaining balance between leisure pursuits paired equally cautiousness urged responsibly employed diligently practiced improving lifestyles cultivated appropriately incorporating respect remaining vital protecting nature preserving future generations alike. This Has Not Loaded Yet Though Your Article Continues Below
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