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Statistics show that the number of Lyme disease cases reported in Ottawa more than tripled last year, and public health officials warn the problem could get worse.

“We know the ticks are here — and we know that we have ticks that carry Lyme disease in Ottawa,” said Dr. Robin Taylor, the city’s associate medical officer of health.

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Taylor said the sudden jump in reported cases likely reflects both an increase in the number of infected ticks in the area and heightened awareness about the disease. Asked if she expects the city’s Lyme disease numbers to rise again this year, she said: “It wouldn’t be surprising for us to have more cases, yes.”

The public health unit usually begins to receive medical reports about Lyme disease in June, so officials won’t be in a position to assess this year’s situation until late August or September.

Lyme disease, a tick-borne illness, is the fastest growing infectious disease in Canada, and its trend line in Ottawa reflects that fact. Statistics collected by Ottawa Public Health reveal there has been a tenfold increase in the number of Lyme disease cases reported in the city between 2010 and 2015.