Ontario health officials warn of rising tick‑borne disease risk

Ontario’s Ministry of Health has issued a province‑wide alert as tick populations surge and Lyme disease cases climb. Since 2021 more than 10,000 Lyme infections have been recorded, alongside hundreds of anaplasmosis, Powassan virus and babesiosis cases. Health officials note that warmer winters have extended the active season for black‑legged ticks, pushing them into new suburban and urban parks.

Deputy Premier and Health Minister Sylvia Jones urged residents to wear light‑coloured, long‑sleeved clothing, use DEET or icaridin repellents, stay on marked trails and perform regular tick checks. Pharmacists can now assess tick bites and prescribe antibiotics when needed. Local councils are pressing the provincial government for stronger control measures, including targeted pesticide applications and habitat modification, while a $2.3 million surveillance program tracks tick activity across the province.