A study led by Dr. Luis Arroyo at the Ontario Veterinary College set out to determine the prevalence of Lyme Disease and Anaplasmosis in the Ontario horse population, and to identify geographic risk factors for the tick-borne infections.

The research team asked veterinary clinics across the province to submit serum (blood) samples from horses in their care, and to complete corresponding questionnaires which evaluated demographics, clinical history and farm management of each horse in the study.

Serum samples were submitted from 564 horses and tested for Borrelia burgdorferi and Anaplasma phagocytophilum bacteria, which cause Lyme Disease and Anaplasmosis respectively, and are transmitted in Ontario by the blacklegged or deer tick, Ixodes scapularis.

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