The Silent Rise of Anaplasmosis: Why This Tick-Borne Illness Should Be on Your Radar
There’s something unsettling about a disease that can knock you off your feet without leaving a trace—literally. Anaplasmosis, a bacterial illness transmitted by blacklegged ticks, is one such stealthy adversary. While it’s not as infamous as Lyme disease, its recent surge in Canada has public health experts on edge. Personally, I think what makes this particularly fascinating is how it’s flying under the radar, even as it quietly becomes a growing threat.
The Unseen Danger in Your Backyard
Martin Haché, an 80-year-old retired accountant from the Ottawa Valley, never imagined a tick could be the culprit behind his sudden collapse. His story, detailed in a recent Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ) report, is a stark reminder that these tiny arachnids are more than just a nuisance. What many people don’t realize is that anaplasmosis doesn’t announce itself with a telltale bullseye rash like Lyme disease. Instead, its symptoms—fever, fatigue, chills—are so vague they could easily be mistaken for the flu.
This lack of distinct markers is part of what makes anaplasmosis so insidious. If you take a step back and think about it, we’re dealing with a disease that’s hard to diagnose, often overlooked, and capable of severe complications if left untreated. In Haché’s case, it led to myocarditis, a rare and dangerous inflammation of the heart muscle. This raises a deeper question: How many cases are slipping through the cracks because doctors and patients alike aren’t looking for it?
A Quiet Surge in Cases
Here’s where things get concerning: Anaplasmosis cases have doubled in Ontario and skyrocketed in Nova Scotia over the past year. In 2025, Nova Scotia reported 681 cases—a staggering number for a disease that was virtually unheard of a decade ago. From my perspective, this isn’t just a regional issue; it’s a canary in the coal mine for a broader trend. As blacklegged ticks expand their territory due to climate change, diseases like anaplasmosis are tagging along for the ride.
What this really suggests is that we’re not just dealing with a tick problem—we’re dealing with a climate problem. Warmer temperatures are creating ideal conditions for these ticks to thrive, and they’re bringing a cocktail of pathogens with them. One thing that immediately stands out is how quickly this is happening. Veterinarians in eastern Ontario started sounding the alarm about rising cases in dogs a few years ago, and now it’s humans who are feeling the impact.
Why Anaplasmosis Isn’t Just Another Tick-Borne Disease
While Lyme disease gets most of the headlines, anaplasmosis is quietly carving out its own niche. For one, it’s more severe in certain populations. In Ontario, 21% of cases required hospitalization between 2023 and 2025, compared to just 3.8% for Lyme. Four people died. That’s a detail I find especially interesting because it underscores how much we still don’t know about this disease.
A detail that I find especially interesting is the role of co-infections. Could someone have both Lyme and anaplasmosis at the same time? It’s possible, and that complicates treatment. What’s clear is that anaplasmosis isn’t just a milder version of Lyme—it’s its own beast, with unique risks and challenges.
Adapting to a New Normal
The good news? Antibiotics are highly effective if caught early. But here’s the catch: Most people don’t even know they’ve been bitten. This is where prevention becomes critical. Covering up, using repellents, and doing regular tick checks are no longer optional—they’re essential.
In my opinion, this shift is about more than just protecting ourselves from ticks. It’s about adapting to a world where climate change is reshaping the landscape of infectious diseases. What was once a rare occurrence is now part of everyday life for people like Greg Welsh, a Nova Scotia resident who’s had multiple bouts of anaplasmosis. His story isn’t an outlier—it’s a glimpse into the future.
The Bigger Picture: What’s Next?
If you ask me, the most pressing question is whether anaplasmosis will follow Lyme’s trajectory and become a household name. Curtis Russell, a specialist with Public Health Ontario, believes it’s possible. But there’s a silver lining: The precautions we’re already taking for Lyme will work for anaplasmosis too.
What makes this particularly fascinating is how it’s forcing us to rethink our relationship with the outdoors. For decades, we’ve focused on mosquitoes and sunscreen. Now, ticks are demanding a seat at the table. Kathleen Haché put it perfectly: ‘We’re going to have to get to the stage where keeping ticks away from us becomes a part of regular life.’
Final Thoughts
Anaplasmosis isn’t just another tick-borne disease—it’s a wake-up call. It’s a reminder that the natural world is changing, and so are the risks we face. Personally, I think this is a story that’s only just beginning. As ticks continue to march northward, so will the diseases they carry. The question is: Are we ready to adapt?
In my opinion, awareness is the first step. The more we know about anaplasmosis, the better equipped we’ll be to fight it. But it’s also a call to action—for public health officials, for researchers, and for all of us. Because in a world where ticks are on the move, ignorance isn’t just bliss—it’s dangerous.
