Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I ask the witnesses to intervene if my questions have been asked by previous speakers. I was struck by the differences between the figures provided by Dr. Bonner and Dr. Cryan on the number of patients who were diagnosed with Lyme disease last year. Will the witnesses explain the difference between their figures? Both Dr. Bonner and Dr. Cryan suggested that Lyme disease is underdiagnosed. Why is that the case? Is it related to the use in Ireland of a test that may be less specific that the tests used elsewhere? Does the test used here correspond with international best practice? Why do we not use the test that is used in the United States, Canada and Germany given that it yields different results? While my observations may be anecdotal, they are based on the information we have received.

Dr. Cryan suggested that in some undiagnosed or misdiagnosed cases, the outcome can be more severe than in cases where the disease is detected and treated in a timely manner. Will he describe the outcomes for such patients and what is the effect on their lives? Dr. Cryan referred to nine cases in 2012, 13 cases in 2013 and 30 cases this year. In how many of these cases have the patients shown symptoms other than the general symptoms that occur when the disease is detected on time?