Surveillance for Ixodes scapularis and Ixodes pacificus ticks and their associated pathogens in Canada, 2021

Author:

Ahmad, S, Wafy, G, Wilson, C, Coatsworth, H, Guillot, C, Savage, J, Leighton, PA, Goundar, P, Morshed, M, Buck, P, Bourgeois, A, and Gasmi, S

Publication type:

Journal Article

Publication date:

2026-02

Journal/Series title:

Can Commun Dis Rep

Volume:

Issue:

1-2

URL:

https://www.canada.ca/content/dam/phac-aspc/documents/services/reports-publicati...

Abstract:

During 2021, 6,892 I. scapularis ticks were identified across all ten provinces via passive surveillance with 777 I. pacificus ticks collected from British Columbia. Most were adult female ticks, collected from human hosts in the spring (March-May) or fall (October-November) seasons. The most common pathogen, Borrelia burgdorferi, was detected in 18.6% (95% CI: 17.2%-20.1%) of samples. Active surveillance resulted in 1,929 I. scapularis and 18 I. pacificus ticks collected in six provinces. Among I. scapularis, 22.3% were infected with B. burgdorferi, 11.8% with Babesia odocoilei and 4.3% with Anaplasma phagocytophilum. Fewer than 1% were infected with each of Borrelia miyamotoi (0.7%), Babesia microti (0.1%) and Powassan virus (0.1%).