Regina Doherty
Question:258. Deputy Regina Doherty asked the Minister for Health with regard to Lyme disease, where treatment is available here; and if he will provide a geographical report in tabular form. [32659/13]
View answerThursday, 4 July 2013
Questions (258)
Written answers
Since September 2011, Lyme Disease (or Lyme borreliosis) has been statutorily notifiable, as neuroborreliosis, under the Infectious Diseases Regulations.
Lyme disease can be very successfully treated using common antibiotics. These antibiotics are effective at clearing the rash and helping to prevent the development of complications. Antibiotics are generally given for up to three weeks. If complications (particularly neurological) develop, intravenous antibiotics may be considered.
In Ireland, the standard approach to the treatment of Lyme disease is to follow the guidance laid out in the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) guidelines on the clinical assessment, treatment and prevention of Lyme disease. This is accepted as being the most up to date synthesis of best available evidence on the clinical management of Lyme disease.
A consensus statement on the clinical management of Lyme disease has been issued jointly from the Scientific Advisory Committee of the Health Protection Surveillance Centre, the Infectious Diseases Society of Ireland, the Irish Society of Clinical Microbiologists, the Irish Institute of Clinical Neuroscience and the Irish College of General Practitioners, all of whom support the use of this guidance.
Treatment of Lyme borreliosis is, in general, relatively straightforward, and information is available on the HPSC’s website to assist clinicians in the identification of the condition at http://www.hpsc.ie/hpsc/A-Z/Vectorborne/LymeDisease/ .
In addition, on the HPSC’s website, internationally recognised and consensually agreed guidance is available to clinicians to aid clinical decision making (at http://www.hpsc.ie/hpsc/A-Z/Vectorborne/LymeDisease/Guidance/ ).