Health officials in the North Bay area of Ontario have launched a 'Tick Talk' campaign after a record 14 Lyme disease cases were reported in 2025, with 71% of those cases linked to tick exposure. The surge is part of a broader 'relentless' expansion of ticks into Eastern Canada, according to a report by HealthNewsTicks.
Record Cases Prompt Public Awareness
The North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit confirmed the 14 cases, the highest annual total ever recorded in the region. Of these, 10 cases were directly attributed to tick bites. The health unit's campaign aims to educate residents about tick prevention and Lyme disease symptoms.
Dr. Jim Chirico, medical officer of health for the district, said, 'Ticks are expanding their range into new areas, and we need people to be vigilant. This is not just a southern Ontario issue anymore.'
Relentless Expansion into Eastern Canada
The increase in Lyme disease cases correlates with the northward and eastward spread of blacklegged ticks, which carry the bacteria responsible for Lyme disease. Climate change and milder winters have allowed ticks to survive in regions previously considered too cold.
According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, the number of reported Lyme disease cases nationally has risen from 144 in 2009 to over 2,000 in 2024. Ontario accounts for a significant portion of these cases.
Prevention and Response
The 'Tick Talk' campaign includes public service announcements, school presentations, and distribution of tick removal kits. Health officials recommend wearing long sleeves, using insect repellent, and checking for ticks after outdoor activities.
Early symptoms of Lyme disease include fever, headache, fatigue, and a characteristic bullseye rash. If left untreated, the infection can spread to joints, the heart, and the nervous system.
