Lyme Disease in Greenland: Exploring the Emergence of Tick-Borne Illness in the Arctic

Abstract

Lyme disease, a tick-borne illness caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, has historically been associated with temperate regions of North America and Europe. However, with climate change altering ecosystems and expanding the range of tick vectors such as Ixodes species, there is growing concern about the emergence of Lyme disease in non-traditional areas, including the Arctic region of Greenland. This paper explores the potential for Lyme disease to establish itself in Greenland, a region previously considered outside the typical range of tick-borne diseases due to its harsh climate. Through a situational analysis of Greenland’s environmental conditions, a review of existing literature on tick expansion in northern latitudes, and a discussion of public health implications, this study aims to assess the risk of Lyme disease emergence in the Arctic. Recommendations for surveillance, prevention, and further research are provided to address this potential public health challenge in a rapidly warming world.

Introduction

Lyme disease is one of the most prevalent vector-borne diseases globally, with significant public health impacts in regions where the tick vectors, primarily Ixodes scapularis and Ixodes ricinus, are established. Transmitted through the bite of infected ticks, the disease is caused by the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi and can lead to a range of symptoms, including fever, fatigue, and, if untreated, severe neurological and cardiac complications (Steere et al., 2016). While Lyme disease has traditionally been documented in temperate forested regions of North America, Europe, and parts of Asia, recent decades have seen its geographic range expand northward due to changing climate patterns, altered land use, and shifting host populations (Ogden et al., 2014).

Greenland, the world’s largest island and an Arctic territory, has historically been considered an unlikely region for tick-borne diseases due to its extreme cold, limited vegetation, and small human population. However, with global temperatures rising at accelerated rates in the Arctic—warming at roughly three times the global average—ecosystems are undergoing rapid transformation (IPCC, 2021). These changes are facilitating the northward migration of various species, including potential tick vectors and their mammalian hosts, raising concerns about the introduction of diseases such as Lyme disease into Greenland. This paper seeks to explore the potential emergence of Lyme disease in Greenland by examining environmental conditions, reviewing relevant literature on tick expansion in northern latitudes, and discussing the implications for public health in this unique Arctic context.

Situational Analysis

Greenland’s unique geographic and climatic characteristics have historically limited the presence of ticks and tick-borne pathogens. Covering over 2.16 million square kilometers, much of Greenland is dominated by an ice sheet, with only coastal areas providing habitable environments for humans and wildlife. The population is sparse, with approximately 56,000 inhabitants primarily residing in small, isolated communities along the coast (Statistics Greenland, 2023). The climate is characterized by long, harsh winters and short, cool summers, conditions generally inhospitable to tick survival.

However, climate change is profoundly altering Greenland’s environment. Temperatures in the Arctic are rising rapidly, leading to shrinking ice cover, thawing permafrost, and greening of tundra areas as vegetation expands (Box et al., 2019). These changes are creating more favorable conditions for a variety of species, including small mammals and birds, which are key hosts for ticks. For instance, species such as Arctic foxes, reindeer, and migratory birds could serve as reservoirs or transport mechanisms for ticks into Greenland. Moreover, increased human activity, including tourism and shipping, may inadvertently introduce ticks from southern regions where Lyme disease is endemic.

Although there are no documented cases of Lyme disease transmission in Greenland as of 2025, the presence of ticks has been sporadically reported, particularly in southern coastal areas during warmer months. Studies in nearby northern regions, such as Iceland and northern Scandinavia, have identified Ixodes ricinus ticks carrying Borrelia species, suggesting that ticks could potentially establish populations in Greenland under the right conditions (Richter et al., 2013). Additionally, the warming climate may extend the active season for ticks, increasing the risk of human exposure in areas previously considered safe from such diseases.

Greenland’s healthcare infrastructure presents another critical factor in this analysis. With limited medical facilities and a reliance on telemedicine for remote communities, the capacity to diagnose and treat Lyme disease is constrained. Early symptoms of Lyme disease, such as erythema migrans (a characteristic rash), may be misdiagnosed or overlooked in a region where awareness of tick-borne illnesses is low. This underscores the need for a proactive assessment of the environmental and social factors that could facilitate the emergence of Lyme disease in Greenland.

Literature Review

The emergence of tick-borne diseases in northern latitudes has been a growing area of research, driven by the recognition that climate change is expanding the range of vectors and pathogens. Ogden et al. (2014) highlight how rising temperatures and milder winters in Canada have facilitated the northward expansion of Ixodes scapularis, the primary vector of Lyme disease in North America. Their modeling studies predict that by 2080, large swathes of northern Canada could become suitable habitats for ticks, a trend that could extend to Arctic regions like Greenland under similar climatic shifts.

In Europe, the spread of Ixodes ricinus into higher latitudes has been documented in countries such as Norway and Sweden. Jaenson et al. (2012) report a significant increase in tick abundance and Lyme disease cases in Scandinavia over the past few decades, correlating these trends with warmer summers and reduced snow cover. A comparative study by Mysterud et al. (2017) on tick-borne diseases in Norway further emphasizes the role of host availability, noting that deer and rodent populations are critical to sustaining tick life cycles in northern environments. These findings are relevant to Greenland, where warming temperatures could similarly support host populations.

Recent studies also underscore the role of climate change as a driver of vector-borne disease expansion. As noted in a 2025 report on global Lyme disease trends, ecological shifts are “rewriting the boundaries of disease,” with ticks appearing in regions previously deemed too cold for their survival (Association of Health Care Journalists, 2025). This aligns with research by Tokarevich et al. (2011), which found evidence of Borrelia-infected ticks in the Russian Arctic, suggesting that even subarctic and Arctic environments may not be immune to tick establishment under prolonged warming conditions.

While direct evidence of ticks or Lyme disease in Greenland remains scarce, studies on related Arctic ecosystems provide valuable insights. For example, research in Iceland has identified Ixodes ricinus ticks on migratory birds, indicating a potential pathway for tick introduction to Greenland (Richter et al., 2013). Additionally, Hueffer et al. (2011) discuss the presence of tick-borne pathogens in Alaskan wildlife, raising the possibility of trans-Arctic transmission via host species. These studies collectively suggest that Greenland is not isolated from the broader trends of tick expansion in northern latitudes, necessitating targeted research and surveillance.

Public health literature also highlights the challenges of managing emerging diseases in remote and underserved regions. In Greenland, the combination of a small, dispersed population and limited healthcare infrastructure mirrors challenges faced in other Arctic communities, where delays in diagnosis and treatment of Lyme disease can lead to severe outcomes (Parkinson & Evengard, 2009). This body of work underscores the importance of integrating environmental monitoring with public health preparedness to mitigate the risks of emerging infectious diseases in the Arctic.

Discussion

The potential emergence of Lyme disease in Greenland represents a confluence of environmental, biological, and social factors. Climate change is the primary driver, as rising temperatures and changing precipitation patterns create more hospitable conditions for ticks and their hosts. The greening of Greenland’s coastal areas, a direct result of warming, provides the vegetation necessary for tick survival and reproduction. Additionally, the expansion of host species—whether native, such as reindeer, or introduced through migration, such as birds—further increases the likelihood of tick establishment.

One critical point of discussion is the specific tick species that could pose a threat in Greenland. Ixodes ricinus, already present in nearby regions like Iceland and Scandinavia, is a likely candidate due to its adaptability to cooler climates and its documented role as a vector for Borrelia burgdorferi. However, the life cycle of ticks in an Arctic environment remains poorly understood. Ticks require specific temperature thresholds to complete their developmental stages, and while summers in Greenland are becoming warmer, they are still relatively short. This raises questions about whether ticks could establish permanent populations or if their presence would remain transient, relying on seasonal introductions via hosts.

Another concern is the risk of human exposure. Although Greenland’s population is small, many residents engage in outdoor activities such as hunting and fishing, particularly in coastal areas where ticks are most likely to appear. Tourists, whose numbers have increased in recent years due to Greenland’s growing appeal as a destination for Arctic exploration, also represent a potential exposure group. The risk is compounded by low awareness of tick-borne diseases among both residents and healthcare providers, which could lead to delayed diagnosis and treatment.

From a public health perspective, the emergence of Lyme disease in Greenland would challenge existing systems. The territory’s healthcare infrastructure is designed to address acute and chronic conditions common to Arctic environments, such as respiratory illnesses and injuries, but not vector-borne diseases. Laboratory capacity for diagnosing Lyme disease, which often requires serological testing, is limited, and treatment with antibiotics such as doxycycline may not be readily available in remote areas. Furthermore, cultural and linguistic barriers could hinder effective communication of prevention strategies to Greenland’s predominantly Inuit population.

The discussion must also consider the broader implications of disease emergence in the Arctic. Lyme disease could serve as a sentinel for other vector-borne and zoonotic diseases that may follow similar pathways of northward expansion. For instance, diseases such as anaplasmosis and babesiosis, also transmitted by Ixodes ticks, could emerge alongside Lyme disease, creating a complex public health landscape. This underscores the need for a One Health approach, integrating human, animal, and environmental health to address these interconnected challenges.

Finally, it is worth noting the limitations of current knowledge regarding Lyme disease in Greenland. The absence of documented cases does not equate to an absence of risk; rather, it reflects a lack of systematic surveillance and research in the region. This gap in data presents a significant barrier to understanding the true potential for Lyme disease emergence and highlights the urgency of targeted studies in Greenland’s unique Arctic ecosystem.

Recommendations

Given the potential for Lyme disease to emerge in Greenland, several recommendations are proposed to address this public health challenge proactively. These recommendations span research, surveillance, education, and policy development, aiming to build resilience in the face of environmental and epidemiological change.

1. Establish Tick Surveillance Programs: Implement systematic monitoring of tick populations in Greenland, focusing on southern coastal areas where conditions are most favorable. This could involve collaboration with wildlife researchers to collect ticks from host species and environmental sampling during warmer months. Surveillance data should be used to map tick distribution and assess the presence of Borrelia pathogens through molecular testing.
2. Enhance Public Health Awareness: Develop culturally appropriate educational campaigns to inform Greenland’s residents and visitors about the risks of tick bites and Lyme disease. Materials should be available in Greenlandic (Kalaallisut) and Danish, emphasizing prevention strategies such as wearing protective clothing, using repellents, and checking for ticks after outdoor activities.
3. Strengthen Healthcare Capacity: Train healthcare providers in Greenland to recognize and diagnose Lyme disease, ensuring access to diagnostic tools and treatment options even in remote communities. Telemedicine platforms could be leveraged to connect local providers with specialists for case management.
4. Conduct Ecological Research: Support studies on the interplay between climate change, host species dynamics, and tick survival in Greenland. Research should focus on identifying which tick species are most likely to establish populations and whether local wildlife can act as competent reservoirs for Borrelia.
5. Develop Policy Frameworks: Work with Greenlandic authorities and international health organizations to create policies for managing emerging infectious diseases in the Arctic. This could include guidelines for reporting suspected Lyme disease cases and integrating vector-borne disease risks into national health strategies.
6. Collaborate Internationally: Partner with neighboring Arctic nations, such as Canada, Iceland, and Norway, to share data and best practices on tick-borne disease surveillance and control. Regional cooperation could enhance early warning systems and provide insights into disease trends across the Arctic.

These recommendations aim to build a comprehensive response to the potential emergence of Lyme disease in Greenland, balancing immediate public health needs with long-term research and policy development. Implementation will require coordination across sectors and sustained funding to address the unique challenges of the Arctic environment.

Conclusion

The potential emergence of Lyme disease in Greenland highlights the profound impact of climate change on global health, extending the boundaries of vector-borne diseases into previously unaffected regions like the Arctic. While no cases of Lyme disease have been confirmed in Greenland as of 2025, environmental changes—rising temperatures, greening landscapes, and shifting species distributions—create conditions conducive to the establishment of tick vectors and their pathogens. This paper has explored these dynamics through a situational analysis of Greenland’s unique context, a review of literature on tick expansion in northern latitudes, and a discussion of public health implications.

The risk of Lyme disease in Greenland, though currently speculative, underscores the importance of proactive measures to monitor, prevent, and respond to emerging infectious diseases in the Arctic. Surveillance of tick populations, public health education, healthcare capacity building, and ecological research are critical steps to mitigate potential threats. Moreover, the emergence of Lyme disease serves as a reminder of the interconnectedness of environmental and human health, necessitating a One Health approach to address these challenges holistically.

Future research should prioritize filling data gaps specific to Greenland, including the presence of ticks, the prevalence of Borrelia pathogens, and the behavior of host species in a warming Arctic. As climate change continues to reshape ecosystems, Greenland stands at the frontier of new public health challenges, requiring vigilance and innovation to protect its population from the unseen threats carried by ticks. By acting now, Greenland can serve as a model for other Arctic regions facing similar risks, ensuring that the health impacts of a warming world are met with preparedness and resilience.

References

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