Lyme disease surveillance in Canada: Annual edition 2020 (infographic)

Organization: Public Health Agency of Canada

Date published: July 2023

Pub.: 220795

What is Lyme disease?

• Lyme disease is a bacterial infection transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected tick.
• Early clinical manifestations can present as flu-like symptoms including joint pain and/or bull's eye rash. If untreated, individuals may experience cardiac and neurologic manifestations and arthritis.

What is the risk?

• Lyme disease is the most frequently reported vector-borne disease in Canada.
• The greatest risk of acquiring Lyme disease occurs in regions where populations of ticks carrying the bacteria, Borrelia burgdorferi, have become established.

Who's at greater risk?

Cases occurred in all age groups. Those at greatest risk were:

• Children aged 5-9 years
• Adults aged 65-79 years

Facts reported in 2020

• 1,617 cases of Lyme disease were reported, of which, 74% were confirmed cases and 26% probable cases
• 56% cases were males
• 44% cases were females

Geographic distribution of reported cases

Cases reported by Alberta, Saskatchewan and Prince Edward Island were travel−related only. Less than 1% of reported cases were likely infected during travel in the USA or Europe.

Seasonality

• 26% of cases reported illness onset in July
• 92% of the cases occurred from May through November

Public health recommendations: Tips to avoid tick bites

Protecting yourself when doing outdoor activity:

• cover exposed skin
• use insect repellent

Reducing risk:

• do a full-body check for ticks after each outdoor activity
• remove ticks using clean, fine-tipped tweezers