Tick biologist Vett Lloyd said performing thorough tick checks is critical to preventing the spread of pathogens in New Brunswick [1, 2].

This guidance comes as environmental shifts alter the geography of tick habitats. Mild winters are allowing tick populations to expand further northward, which increases the risk that humans will encounter these parasites and contract tick-borne illnesses [1, 2].

Lloyd said the ability to identify and remove ticks quickly is the primary defense against infection. Because ticks can migrate to hidden areas of the body, a systematic check is necessary to ensure no parasites remain attached to the skin [1, 2].

The urgency of these precautions is supported by recent public health trends. Emergency-room visits for symptoms related to ticks have reached their highest levels since 2017 [3]. Experts said the current tick season is shaping up to be one of the worst in a decade [3].

In New Brunswick, the intersection of warmer climate patterns and increased outdoor activity has made the region a focal point for tick monitoring. Lloyd said the expansion of these populations is a direct result of the lack of severe winter freezes that typically limit tick survival [1, 2].

Public health officials said individuals spending time in wooded or grassy areas should perform a full-body inspection immediately after returning indoors. This practice is intended to curb the transmission of pathogens before the ticks have enough time to transmit them into the bloodstream [1, 2].

“Performing thorough tick checks is critical to preventing the spread of pathogens.”

The northward migration of ticks in Canada indicates a shifting ecological baseline driven by climate trends. As mild winters remove natural population controls, regions previously unaffected by tick-borne pathogens must now integrate rigorous screening and public health education into their seasonal routines to prevent a spike in long-term medical complications.