Conference Proceedings

TICKS AND LYME DISEASE SURVEILLANCE IN ONTARIO Katie M. Clow, DVM, PhD Ticks in Ontario Ontario is home to numerous species of ticks. Some have long been inhabitants of our natural environments, such as the American dog tick, Dermacentor variabilis, and the groundhog tick, Ixodes cookei [1]. Aside from being pests, these species currently pose minimal risk to our companion animals [1,2]. On the other hand, we have also seen the invasion of other tick species into the province, which are vectors for several pathogens of animal and human health significance. The blacklegged tick, I. scapularis, is the most notable example of northward range expansion. In the early 1990's, one longstanding population existed at Long Point [3]. Now, established populations of blacklegged ticks are present in many areas of southern, eastern and northern Ontario [4], and its range continues to expand [5]. The blacklegged tick poses a risk because it is the vector for Borrelia burgdorferi, the causative agent of Lyme disease in humans, dogs and horses, and Anaplasma phagocytophilum, the causative agent of anaplasmosis in humans, dogs and horses [6-8]. The lone star tick, Amblyomma americanum, is not believed to be established in the province, but is routinely introduced on migratory birds [9,10]. In the southern United States, the lone star tick can transmit Ehrlichia chaffeensis and E. ewingii, which causes Ehrlichiosis in humans, dogs and cats, and Cytauxzoon felis, the causative agent of feline Cytauxzoonosis [6]. Little data currently exists on the infection prevalence of these pathogens in adventitious lone star ticks. Pets can also be bitten by ticks if they travel to more southern areas (e.g., United States, Mexico), thus exposing them to other tick-borne pathogens. In these cases, tick species such as the brown dog tick, Rhipicephalus sanguineus, and the Gulf coast tick, A. maculatum, become important considerations. Tick and Tick-borne Disease Surveillance Public Health Ontario (PHO) conducts several types of surveillance for ticks and tick-borne diseases. Passive surveillance is present in many public health regions. Tick submissions are only accepted from people (and no longer from pets), and in regions with high tick density (e.g., Leeds and Grenville, Kingston and surrounding area), the program has been discontinued [11]. Active surveillance, typically conducted via tick dragging, is routinely employed in many areas. If one blacklegged tick is found at a site during both spring and fall drags, the area is deemed a risk area and added to PHO's Lyme disease map [4]. This map is published annually and provides an up-to-date resource for risk assessment and client communication. Finally, human Lyme disease is a reportable disease in Canada, and incidence is assessed routinely [12]. The Pet Tick Tracker is a citizen science tool launched by Dr. Scott Weese at the Ontario Veterinary College. It now resides at www.petsandticks.com. Pet owners and veterinarians from across Canada are encouraged to submit information on any tick found on a pet. The option to submit a photo or the actual tick sample for identification also exist. Maps are routinely produced showing the location of tick submissions [13]. 2019 OVMA Conference 241 TABLE OF CONTENTS 15002 CLOW - TICKS ANd LyME dISEASE SuRVEILLANCE IN ONTARIO

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