Áine Brady (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)

I will respond to this matter on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney. I thank Senator Ross raising this matter as it provides me with an opportunity to outline to this House the importance attached to the issue by the Department of Health and Children and the HSE. Lyme disease, also known as Lyme borreliosis, is an infection caused by a spiral shaped bacterium called Borrelia burgdorferi that is transmitted to humans by bites from ticks infected with bacteria. The infection is generally mild affecting only the skin but can sometimes be more severe. Lyme disease has been reported in North America, Europe, Australia, China and Japan. The ticks feed by biting and attaching to the skin and sucking blood, normally from animals such as sheep and deer. Infected ticks are most likely to be encountered in heathland and lightly forested areas of North America and northern Europe. Lyme disease can affect anyone but is most common among ramblers, hill walkers, hikers, campers and others whose leisure activities and work takes place in heathland or light woodland areas or brings them in contact with certain animals such as deer. Summer and autumn is the period when most cases occur. Cases of Lyme disease appear in Ireland every year.

Although Lyme disease is not a notifiable disease in Ireland at present, it is recognised as an important vector borne disease. Like any disease, Lyme disease can present a very mild illness or, in a small percentage of cases, it can lead to fairly serious complications. As most people suffer only mild symptoms and recover without recourse to a general practitioner, making the disease notifiable would not detect these cases. In cases where the diagnosis is unsure, general practitioners and physicians have access to the National Virus Reference Laboratory which can diagnose the illness serologically by internationally accepted laboratory methods. In Ireland, surveys have indicated that the Cork and Galway regional clinical laboratory services receive about 500 requests for Lyme disease tests per year, of which 5% to 10% turn out to be positive. Many affected people have no symptoms at all. The most common noticeable evidence of infection is a rash called erythema migrans that is seen in about three quarters of infected people. This red, raised skin rash develops between three days and a month after a tick bite and spreads outwards from the initial bite site. This rash can last up to a month and be several inches in diameter. People can also complain of flu-like symptoms such as headaches, sore throat, neck stiffness, fever, muscle aches and general fatigue. Occasionally there may be more serious symptoms involving the nervous system, joints, the heart or other tissues. Common antibiotics such as amoxicillin are effective in clearing the rash and helping to prevent the development of complications. Currently, there is no vaccine available in Ireland against human Lyme disease.

A number of awareness initiatives have been undertaken by the Department and the HSE to address the threat of Lyme disease in Ireland. In terms of public awareness, information has been placed on the website of the HSE health protection surveillance centre and leaflets designed for distribution at the reception areas of Ireland's national parks by forestry staff of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government have been distributed and are available for download from www.hpsc.ie. In addition, as the best protection against Lyme disease is to protect oneself against tick bites when walking in grassy, bushy or woodland areas, the health protection surveillance centre has produced information and guidance on its website to allow people to take steps to protect themselves and their families.

The issue of Lyme disease has been discussed and raised with fellow professionals through the health section surveillance centres vector borne sub-committee. This autumn, an article on Lyme disease is planned for the health protection surveillance centre's regular publication with the intention of raising awareness among general practitioners and non-specialist clinicians.