Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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227. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 174 of 14 December 2016, the status of the work of the Lyme borreliosis sub-committee; the number of times this sub-committee has met since its foundation; the details of the research that has been carried out by the sub committee; the details of its membership; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24893/17]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Scientific Advisory Committee of the HSE Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) has established a Lyme Borreliosis Sub-Committee, the aim of which is to develop strategies to undertake primary prevention in order to minimise the harm caused by Lyme Borreliosis in Ireland. In addition to staff from the HPSC, the membership of the Sub-Committee includes specialists in Public Health Medicine, Consultants in Infectious Diseases, Clinical Microbiology, Occupational Health an Entomologist from the Parks and Wildlife Service, a representative from the Local Government Management Agency, an Environmental Health Officer and, very importantly, a representative from Tick Talk Ireland, the primary Support Group for Lyme disease in Ireland.

The initial work of the Lyme Borreliosis Sub-committee involved a survey of laboratory methods for the diagnosis of Lyme borreliosis in Ireland, the development of Lyme borreliosis guidance for general practitioners, the publication of medical media articles to highlight diagnostics and laboratory methods relating to Lyme borreliosis available in Ireland. Material has been produced which is aimed both at the general public and General Practitioners.

As the work of the subcommittee is coordinated by the HPSC, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.