Lyme Disease in Canada
Lyme Statistics
The case definition for Lyme disease changed in 2016, so any abrupt jumps seen in statistics for that year don't necessarily mean it was a bad year for Lyme infections in a province. It may just mean that more cases fit the revised definition.
Updated: March 31, 2025.
National
2024 is the most current year for which statistics are available.
- 5,239 cases diagnosed nationally in 2024. (Preliminary numbers.)
- Number of annual cases doubled between 2022 and 2024
- Total number of annual Lyme cases in 2024 are the highest ever recorded for a single year.
British Columbia
2023 is the most current year for which statistics are available.
- 29 cases reported.
- Women 60+ was the hardest hit age group.
- Most total annual cases since 2016.
Alberta
2023 is the most current year for which statistics are available.
- Between 1991 and 2023, 184 human cases of Lyme disease were recorded. All were acquired outside the province.
- In 2023, 182 Ixodes ticks were submitted. Of those tested for Lyme bacteria, just under 20% were positive.
Saskatchewan
2023 is the most current year for which statistics are available.
- Since 2008, 150 blacklegged ticks have been collected in the province. Fourteen tested positive for Lyme bacteria.
- In 2023, 3 blacklegged ticks were collected through active surveys for the first time since active surveys began.
Manitoba
2023 is the most current year for which statistics are available.
- 47 confirmed and 11 probable cases of Lyme disease.
- Second most confirmed cases ever recorded in one year after 2019.
- 4 cases of anaplasmosis and 2 cases of babesiosis also recorded.
Ontario
2024 is the most current year for which statistics are available.
- 2,337 Lyme cases diagnosed in 2024.
- 2024 case counts were well above the 5-year average.
- Most cases diagnosed in June and July.
Quebec
2023 is the most current year for which statistics are available.
- 652 cases were reported.
- The number of cases in Quebec have risen sharply over the past 15 years.
- Roughly 86% of cases were contracted locally.
Newfoundland & Labrabor
2023 is the most current year for which statistics are available.
- 12 cases were recorded between 1996 and 2023.
- No cases of Lyme were acquired within the province.
- The province is not currently considered endemic for Lyme.
Nova Scotia
2023 is the most current year for which statistics are available.
- 2,058 confirmed or probable cases in 2023.
- Nova Scotia has consistently had the highest rate of Lyme disease in the country since the disease became nationally notifiable in 2009.
- The provincial case definition changed in 2023 resulting in significantly higher case counts over previous years.
New Brunswick
2023 is the most current year for which statistics are available.
- 161 blacklegged ticks tested for Lyme bacteria.
- 34 blacklegged ticks were positive for Lyme bacteria.
- Majority of infected ticks came from Saint John area.
Prince Edward Island
2023 is the most current year for which statistics are available.
- In 2020, 49 blacklegged ticks were submitted to public health of which 3 tested positive for Lyme bacteria.
- Only one locally acquired case has ever been recorded (in 2012).
- On average there are 0-4 cases of Lyme reported each year.