Anaplasmosis: This tick-borne disease is on the rise in Canada – The Weather Network

Lyme disease is still more common than anaplasmosis at this time, according to Coatsworth, with approximately 2,500 human cases in 2023, according to Health Canada.

Exact nation-wide statistics for anaplasmosis are currently unavailable, because it only became a nationally notifiable disease in April 2024, meaning cases now have to be reported to public health authorities.

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How to prevent anaplasmosis

There’s no vaccine that prevents the transmission of anaplasmosis so avoiding bites is the best way to prevent any tick-borne disease.

“If you stop yourself from getting bitten by a tick or deal with a tick infection quickly and get the tick off, that’s going to help for anaplasmosis, Lyme disease … and any of the not fun diseases ticks transmit,” said Vett Lloyd, a biology professor at Mount Allison University who runs a tick lab.

Bug sprays such as DEET that specifically target ticks — rather than just mosquitos — are often most effective at preventing bites, Lloyd says.

Avoiding skin contact with grassy areas doing regular tick checks when in forested areas and while gardening or spending time in long grass can also reduce the risk.