TORONTO – Sarah Campbell wants the province to create a comprehensive Lyme disease strategy and provide full funding from diagnosis through treatment.
The Kenora-Rainy River NDP MPP made the statement on Wednesday at Queen’s Park.
“I rise today on the very important issue of Lyme disease. This disease affects hundreds of Ontarians, yet this government has been inactive in fulfilling its mandate to create a comprehensive and integrated strategy to combat Lyme disease,” Campbell said in a release.
Too many people’s lives have changed because they contracted the disease, an inflammatory infection spread to humans through tick bites, according to the Canadian Lyme Disease Foundation.
Early treatment of the disease is critical, but it’s not always easy to diagnose because there are more than 100 known symptoms.
Common symptoms include a rash, often shaped like a bulls-eye, initial flu-like symptoms including headache, fever, nausea, jaw pain, sensitivity to light, muscle aches and neck stiffness.
“I’ve heard stories of young people whose lives have drastically changed: young women and men formerly physically active, now physically and mentally overcome by the disease; young adults who are now unable to have children, because of the late diagnosis and lack of treatment of this debilitating disease here in Ontario,” Campbell said.
Mike Mantha, the NDP MPP in Algoma-Manitoulin in 2014 introduced a private-members mill seeking an action plan to fight Lyme disease.
At the time Health Minister Eric Hoskins issued a statement, reported by CBC.com, that he believes the province needs an evidenced-based strategy for Lyme disease.
“Now is the time to take action,” Campbell said. “Ontarians need timely access to accurate testing and effective treatment and for this treatment to be covered by OHIP. Ontarians are looking to this government to act now to create a strategy which includes accurate testing and timely access to fully funded treatment.”
The province last year published a reminder of Lyme disease and West Nile virus and ways to reduce the risks of catching one or the other. Those tips can be found here.
