Lyme Disease Rise Reveals Healthcare Challenges

In the summer of 2024, Christian Richardson was in top shape. He had completed his first ultramarathon that spring and was looking forward to new races, eager to get back into training.

When he wasn’t running, he managed a campground and enjoyed hiking with his dog Ace in Frontenac County, just about 30 minutes from Kingston. Living there, he was aware of the growing tick population and often checked himself for ticks up to twice daily.

By July, he began feeling unwell with strange aches and pains, and although he hadn’t noticed a specific bite, he started thinking he might have Lyme disease.

A blood test confirmed it. By this point, the 33-year-old found it hard to walk without becoming breathless. His doctor referred him for an electrocardiogram to look for heart problems.

Before he even got home from the test, he received a call instructing him to return immediately to the ER. He had developed a rare complication of Lyme known as Lyme carditis, which affects heart function. If left untreated, it could be life-threatening.

He was admitted to the cardiology unit at Kingston General Hospital for 11 days, contemplating what this would mean for his active lifestyle.

Richardson is among an increasing number of Ontarians diagnosed with Lyme disease-an infection spread by bites from infected blacklegged ticks. Ontario has reported more cases than almost any other province this year alone with 515 cases recorded so far.

As climate change accelerates the spread of blacklegged ticks into new regions of Ontario, researchers say the province stands at a critical juncture in its approach to managing Lyme disease. Efforts are underway to enhance testing methods, expand surveillance efforts, increase awareness about prevention strategies, and develop a vaccine for humans. However, both researchers and patients highlight significant gaps still exist regarding early diagnosis, physician education, and access to care for those facing ongoing symptoms.

While Lyme can be effectively treated if caught early on, delayed diagnoses can leave some patients suffering from debilitating symptoms that may linger for months or even years.

Though it took him nearly eight months to feel normal again, Richardson considers himself incredibly fortunate. He credits his attentive family doctor’s care at Kingston General under a leading specialist in Lyme-related cardiac issues along with his pre-existing good health as key factors in his recovery.

“They said it was only a matter of time; if it wasn’t properly treated it was death.”

Christian Richardson is pictured in Kingston; he feels lucky to have had such an attentive family doctor as well as care at Kingston General Hospital under a top specialist in Lyme-related cardiac issues.

Ian Mac Alpine for the

Why Cases of Lyme Disease Are Increasing in Ontario

An adult tick is examined through a microscope at Manisha Kulkarni’s lab at the University of Ottawa.

Ashley Fraser for the

The Background on Lyme Disease

Lyme disease was first identified in Lyme, Connecticut during the mid-1970s when Yale researchers Dr. Allen Steere and Dr. Stephen Malawista observed clusters of arthritis cases among children there along with many developing bullseye rashes associated with tick bites. Later studies pinpointed Borrelia burgdorferi as the bacterium responsible that’s transmitted by infected blacklegged ticks.

Ticks carrying Lyme disease were discovered in Canada by 1989 within southern Ontario. In 2009 it became a priority issue recognized by federal government and provinces due to concerns over ticks migrating northward leading them being classified as nationally notifiable diseases requiring monitoring and control efforts.

B etween 2009 until 2025 provincial public health units reported approximately thirty-five thousand human cases likely representing an undercount across Canada , while yearly reports indicate increases soaring upwards significantly from fewer than two hundred cases during that initial year rising towards over seven thousand one hundred recorded most recently.

“Over these past ten years we’ve truly witnessed almost exponential growth within incidence levels regarding lyme,” stated Manisha Kulkarni , professor attached School Epidemiology Public Health University Ottawa formerly also serving scientific director Canadian Research Network wrapping up upon completion March their support research grant issued Canadian Institutes Health Research.

Ontario alone accounts nearing half totality incurred case counts since ’09 possessing second highest rate pertaining this illness ( trailing Nova Scotia ) hitting fourteen point six seven incidents per one hundred thousand individuals residing there currently.

Kulkarni notes how rising temperatures stemming climate change expedite development processes amongst tick populations enabling them survive areas where they weren’t previously capable establishing footholds – allowing expansions potentially affecting new regions altogether. Mixed urban-rural settings nearby Toronto or Ottawa present higher exposure risks due dense habitation levels observed indicating vulnerabilities arising through fragmented forests surrounding neighborhoods bordering woodlands housing wildlife species sustaining thriving tick groups resulting subsequently increased likelihood contracting diseases like lyme here too she warned saying , ” As risk zones continue encroaching populated locations we’ll inevitably observe climbing trajectory incidences related lyme not only but also emergence additional pathogens transmittable via same vector species posing further threats down line.”

Apart from ticks spreading lymne they’re capable transmitting Anaplasmosis Babesiosis Powassan virus presenting flu-like ailments progressing serious consequences if left unattended ; last year these illnesses gained reportability level deemed necessary protect public health significance Ontario henceforth.”

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