Lyme disease explained

Nature P.E.I.’s monthly meeting May 2 will feature Kami Harris, who will explain the “5 W’s” of Lyme’s disease, a bacterial infection that is transmitted to people and animals through a tick bite.

“The risk of Lyme disease is rapidly increasing in Canada as the climate changes and tick populations expand,” said Harris, adding that “due to the many waterways in our region, which are favorite haunts of tick-carrying birds, the Maritimes have an increasing density of ticks.”

Her presentation will provide an overview of what Lyme disease is, how it can be contracted and diagnosed, and ways to prevent the infection. Ms. Harris will also describe the current research underway including the spread of ticks and infection among people and animals of New Brunswick, as well as problems with effective diagnosis and treatment.

Kami Harris completed both her B.Sc. honours and M.Sc in biology at Mount Allison University and is currently a PhD candidate at the Atlantic Veterinary College at UPEI, under the supervision of Dr. Vett Lloyd (MTA) and Dr. Pierre-Yves Daoust (AVC).