New Lyme Disease Related Bacteria

There’s a new type of bacteria that is considered to be one of the causes of Lyme disease. This recent species of germ has been found in ticks that have made dogs their feeding ground. Here’s an article with further information.

New species of Lyme-related bacteria found on ticks in B.C.

A new species of bacteria that can cause Lyme disease has been found in ticks on dogs and, in one case, on a child in B.C. The B.C. Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) reported the finding this week to the public and medical community. The species is closely related to Borrelia mayonii, which previously was only known to be in the midwestern United States.

It’s good to know that the child in which the tick was found upon, has not shown any signs of contracting the disease. Here’s a video that sheds some further insight on borrelia mayonii.

Minnesota and Wisconsin have been so far, the only recorded states to have found this particular type of bacteria. As Richard Krieger mentions, unless the ticks find themselves a ‘vector’ to travel on, it’s unlikely that this will spread rapidly at this stage and even if they do, it will be slow to move. However it has somehow made way to British Columbia.

Borrelia mayonii-like bacteria found in British Columbia ticks

Provincial health officials in British Columbia and national public health have confirmed a new species of bacteria closely related to Borrelia mayonii (B. mayonii) in three ticks since the summer.

The species of bacteria discovered in the three BC tick samples is slightly different than that in the United States, and there is no evidence that anyone in BC has developed Lyme disease from this B. mayonii-like bacteria.

The best way to protect yourself against any tick related bacteria and disease is to make sure these little critters don’t get a chance to take a bite in the first place.