Museum researcher warns of increased growth in Quebec tick populations
According to Virginie Millien, an assistant professor at ÎÛÎÛ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ and curator of zoology and paleontology at ÎÛÎÛ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ's Redpath Museum, warmer temperatures preferentially benefit one of the Lyme diesease tick's most important hosts, the white-footed mouse, which has expanded its range northwards, and outcompeted other mice. The result is that Lyme disease has become a far more pressing health issue in southeastern Canada than ever before.
Researchers are concerned that tick populations are being established in areas where they've never been a problem before. This is the fourth in a series of Quirks & Quarks series on how science and technology are working in regions and communities across Canada facing unique challenges of climate change. Listen to the or read more about Virginie's work