Statistical epidemiologist Dr. Olaf Berke discussed his research that uses internet search activity to pinpoint Lyme disease hotspots with The Weather Network.  

Berke explained the areas with higher cases of Lyme disease are the same ones where there is a higher number of internet searches related to Lyme and ticks. He said he hopes the findings could lead to the development of a tool that would help public health units monitor the disease. 

A professor in the Department of Population Medicine at the Ontario Veterinary College, Berke’s research focuses on spatial and geographical epidemiology.