Tick-Borne Diseases

Do you know what can be lurking in wooded and grassy areas? Infected blacklegged ticks. They can spread the bacteria that cause Lyme disease, a potentially serious illness. Here's what you need to know about it.

Watch this video from Government of Canada: Enjoy the Outdoors, Without a Tick

Blacklegged tick [Photo courtesy of CDC Atlanta Public Health Image Library]Tick-borne diseases are the result of an infection by disease-causing agents such as viruses, parasites and bacteria that can be contracted through the bite of an infected tick. In Manitoba, there are several species of ticks but only one species, Ixodes scapularis, is responsible for spreading tick-borne diseases to humans. This tick is more commonly known as the deer tick or the blacklegged tick. Other tick species, such as the more common wood tick, are not effective vectors of disease causing agents in Manitoba.  

There are three reportable tick-borne diseases found in Manitoba: Anaplasmosis, Babesiosis and Lyme Disease. Anyone who feels that they may have contracted a tick-borne disease should see a doctor. Tick-borne diseases can be successfully treated and treatment is most successful in the early stages of infection. In addition to the three reportable tick-borne diseases, Manitoba Health (Health) also monitors tick populations for the introduction of other disease causing agents such as Borrelia miyamotoi and Powassan virus. 

Reported Cases of Anaplasmosis in Manitoba

Case Classification
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
Confirmed Case
2
1
1
4
14
6
Probable Case
0
0
0
2
7
4

As of May 3, 2023

In 2015 Anaplasmosis became a provincially reportable disease in Manitoba.
At present Anaplasmosis is not reportable nationally and surveillance case definitions reflect those developed by Manitoba Health.   

Reported Cases of Babesiosis in Manitoba

Case Classification
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
Confirmed Case
0
0
0
1
0
0
Probable Case
0
0
0
0
0
0

As of May 3, 2023

In 2015, Babesiosis became a provincially reportable disease in Manitoba.
At present Babesiosis is not reportable nationally and surveillance case definitions reflect those developed by Manitoba Health.

Reported Cases of Lyme Disease in Manitoba

Case Classification
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
Confirmed Case
27
19
15
34
29
34
Probable Case
11
19
15
34
25
13

As of May 3, 2023

In 2009, Lyme disease became nationally reportable. National definitions for confirmed and probable cases were developed by the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC). National case definitions are available at: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/lyme-disease/surveillance-lyme-disease/case-definition.html

Communicable Disease Control (CDC)
 Public Health
Manitoba Health
4th Floor - 300 Carlton St.
Winnipeg MB  R3B 3M9  CANADA

Health Links – Info Santé
204-788-8200 or 1-888-315-9257