Research question and approach
The primary objective of this initiative was to review 10-year trends (2013–2022) in nationally notifiable zoonotic diseases in Canada and to highlight selected emerging and complex threats. The review covers several vector-borne diseases and other zoonoses such as hantavirus and rabies. Special topics include the emergence of a widely dispersed and highly pathogenic strain of avian influenza A(H5N1), animal-related aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the emergence of Echinococcus multilocularis, a tapeworm spread by species such as foxes and coyotes. It also includes a dedicated section on zoonotic risks affecting Northern and Arctic Indigenous communities, authored by Indigenous Services Canada with input from Indigenous partners.
Data were drawn from the Canadian Notifiable Disease Surveillance System (CNDSS), the enhanced vector-borne disease surveillance systems for mosquito-borne diseases and tick-borne diseases, and from applied research and supplementary data sources where formal national surveillance systems are not established. The report was reviewed and validated by federal, provincial, and territorial partners.
Key findings
Overall, the report provides a national picture of zoonoses from 2013 to 2022, combining surveillance indicators (case counts, incidence, and descriptive epidemiology) with information on risk factors, animal reservoirs, and environmental conditions that influence transmission. It underscores that some vector-borne diseases are increasing, while other notifiable zoonoses remain uncommon but require ongoing awareness and prevention due to their severity. Some notable findings include:
- Cases of brucellosis, hantavirus infection, rabies, and tularemia in Canada are rare, and counts are stable
- Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases are on an upward trend as many tick species expand their range
- Cases of West Nile virus fluctuate annually, but climate change is expected to increase the risk of mosquito-borne diseases
The inclusion of special topics on emerging and complex threats, such as avian influenza A(H5N1), highlights that zoonotic risks are continually evolving, shaped by changing environments, pathogens, and exposure patterns. The report applies climate change and One Health lenses to interpret trends and emphasize the importance of coordinated, multisectoral surveillance and response across human, animal, and environmental health systems.
Importance of intersectoral collaboration and communication
The report highlights how cross-sector collaboration supports earlier detection of emerging threats, faster responses across jurisdictions, and prevention strategies that address upstream drivers (e.g., changes in vector habitats and wildlife–human interfaces). This is increasingly important as climate change and other pressures shift where and when exposures occur, requiring surveillance and interventions that can adapt over time.
Evidence gaps
For some zoonoses and emerging issues, formal national surveillance systems are lacking, and analyses must draw on applied research and other data sources. Data availability varies by province and territory over time, and small case counts can produce unstable rates, which may limit the ability to identify trends and make inferences.
Linking zoonotic disease patterns with the environmental conditions that influence exposure can be challenging. There is limited integration of climate and environmental indicators into analysis of disease patterns, and there is uneven local monitoring of vectors and reservoirs, with incomplete information on key exposure pathways. For Northern, remote, and Arctic settings experiencing rapid change, addressing these gaps will be important to understanding changing patterns of disease transmission.