Field Studies

The Field Studies section provides reference and diagnostic services for selected zoonotic disease agents including:

• Anaplasma phagocytophilum
• Babesia  species including B. microti, B. duncani and B. divergens
• Bartonella species including B. henselae and B. quintana
• Borrelia burgdorferi (Lyme disease) sensu stricto and B. burgdorferi sensu lato including B. mayonii and European genospecies B. afzelii and B. garinii
• Colorado tick fever virus*
• Eastern equine encephalitis virus*
• Ehrlichia chaffeensis
• Francisella tularensis*
• Leptospira species
• Heartland J virus*
• Hantaviruses including Sin Nombre virus and Seoul virus*
• Powassan encephalitis virus including prototypic POWV and Deer tick virus (DTV)*
• Relapsing Fever Borrelia including B. hermsii and B. miyamotoi
• West Nile virus*

In addition, the section undertakes outbreak investigations, national surveillance and research studies related to these zoonotic disease agents. Research interests include field- and laboratory-based investigations on the factors determining the distribution and prevalence of zoonotic diseases in Canada with emphasis on tick-borne (e.g., Lyme disease), mosquito-borne (e.g., West Nile virus) and rodent-associated diseases (e.g., hantaviruses). Results of these activities are used to better inform interested parties (including the general public, non-governmental and governmental agencies) about the relative risks of contracting these zoonotic diseases in Canada and form the basis for recommendations about how best to prevent or minimize exposure to these pathogens. Applied research interests include development and optimization of assays to detect emerging tick and mosquito-borne pathogens. The section also performs a reference role by providing proficieny panels and technical expertise to external clients.

* The Field Studies section performs testing for these pathogens on samples collected from non-human sources such as ticks, mosquitoes and rodents