Lyme disease continues to rise in Quebec and climate change is partially to blame – CBC

Experts say there are more ticks carrying Lyme, but there is also more awareness and testing

May 22, 2025

Cases of Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses have been increasing in Quebec for more than a decade, and experts say climate change is partially to blame.

With increasing temperatures, ticks are becoming more established, especially in southern Quebec, said Kirsten Crandall, a scientific adviser with the Institut national de santé publique du Québec (INSPQ).

And with host animals moving north, be they birds or deer, ticks are covering a broader range, she said. This is especially true for black-legged ticks which can transmit Lyme, she added.

“I think we will definitely be continuing on that rise in the number of different tick-borne diseases,” said Crandall. “Lyme disease obviously being the one with the most case numbers.”

Lyme disease is caused by a bacterium transmitted by the bite of black-legged ticks. The first symptom is usually a single circular rash.

Read more: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/lyme-disease-quebec-rising-1.7540477