Wayne Uhlman, a resident of Lunenburg County, experienced fatigue during a recent doctor’s visit. He faced tremors in his hands due to severe cold chills, making it challenging to even grasp a glass. Upon immediate evaluation in the emergency room, he underwent intravenous fluid administration, a blood examination, and was prescribed a 21-day course of antibiotics.
After two weeks, Uhlman was informed of testing positive for anaplasmosis, a tick-borne bacterial infection increasingly prevalent in Nova Scotia. Despite his belief that he had never harbored a tick for more than a couple of hours, the diagnosis was unexpected for him.
Anaplasmosis, caused by the bite of blacklegged ticks (deer ticks) and brown dog ticks, can impact both humans and pets. Nova Scotia has recorded 245 cases of anaplasmosis this year as of July 13, as per the Department of Health and Wellness reports. The surge in tick populations across Canada, likely attributed to prolonged warmer seasons, has propelled anaplasmosis to become the second most prevalent tick-borne illness in the country after Lyme disease.
The inclusion of anaplasmosis as a notifiable disease in Nova Scotia in 2023 led to the registration of 317 cases. Last year, the count rose to 681 cases. A recent clinical review by Emergency Medicine Saint John highlighted the possibility of ticks transmitting the bacterium causing anaplasmosis in as little as four hours.
Symptoms of anaplasmosis commonly resemble flu-like signs such as fever, chills, and headache, typically resolving on their own. However, some individuals may remain asymptomatic as the disease may not always manifest symptoms. Dr. Glenn Patriquin, a microbiologist and infectious diseases specialist at Nova Scotia Health, mentioned that unlike Lyme disease, the characteristic bull’s-eye rash is uncommon with anaplasmosis.
Both anaplasmosis and Lyme disease are commonly treated with doxycycline, with doctors often initiating treatment based on symptoms and clinical history to expedite recovery while awaiting laboratory results. Patriquin emphasized that anaplasmosis tends to be more acute, with minimal chances of long-term consequences.
The prevalence of anaplasmosis among pets has increased, although there is no evidence supporting transmissions between humans and animals. The Department of Health and Wellness in Nova Scotia highlighted rare instances where anaplasmosis can spread through blood transfusions, organ transplants, and from mother to baby during pregnancy. Elderly individuals and those with underlying health issues are at a higher risk of severe illness following anaplasmosis contraction.
Preventive measures, including conducting tick checks post outdoor activities, are crucial in defending against tick-borne diseases. Wayne Uhlman has fully recovered from anaplasmosis and aims to raise awareness about this disease, which can present with a variety of symptoms or even none at all.
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