Durham Region Health Department has released a new report highlighting the growing health threat posed by vector-borne diseases (VBDs) as the climate continues to warm.
“The health burden of Lyme disease in Durham Region is rapidly increasing and appears to be outpacing the provincial average,” the report states. It also notes an upward trend in WNV cases over time.
The Health Department says public awareness remains low. A survey showed that over 90 per cent of Durham residents do not use insect repellent. Among Lyme disease cases reported between 2019 and 2023, 80 per cent of individuals had been in grassy or wooded areas, but most had not taken protective measures such as checking for ticks or using repellents.
The report, Assessing the Impact of Vector-borne Disease, is part of the Climate Change and Health in Durham Region series and is available at durham.ca/ClimateAndHealth.
According to the Health Department, climate change is contributing to the spread and incidence of diseases such as Lyme disease—transmitted by black-legged ticks—and West Nile virus (WNV)—transmitted by mosquitoes—among residents of Durham Region and the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation.
Other tick- and mosquito-borne diseases
The report also warns of the potential for increases in other tick- and mosquito-borne diseases, including anaplasmosis, babesiosis, Powassan virus, and eastern equine encephalitis (EEE).
“In many cases, these diseases are mild, but serious health consequences are possible,” said Dr. Robert Kyle, Durham Region Medical Officer of Health. “It’s also important to prioritize people at greater risk of serious illness—such as older adults; infants and young children; pregnant individuals; Indigenous Peoples; people with a chronic illness or weakened immune system; and those who lack access to protections such as shelter.”
Brenda Kwan, Manager of Health Protection, emphasized the importance of taking basic precautions: “Preventive actions like eliminating sources of stagnant water, wearing protective clothing, using insect repellent with DEET or picaridin, and checking for ticks after spending time outdoors are simple but effective. These precautions are especially important when spending time in forested, grassy, or brushy areas, where ticks and mosquitoes are more likely to be found.”
The report calls for greater health promotion, community engagement, and culturally appropriate prevention strategies—especially for outdoor workers and Indigenous communities.
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