MSP for Stirling, Evelyn Tweed, led a debate in Holyrood for Lyme Disease Awareness Month. Lyme disease is caused by a bacteria called Lyme borreliosis which can be passed on to humans by infected ticks. Ticks infected with Lyme disease have been found all over the UK. Anywhere there are pets, wild mammals and birds, there are ticks – woodland, open countryside and even urban parks and gardens.
Early signs of Lyme disease can include flu-like symptoms, fever, fatigue, and migratory joint or muscle aches and pains. If untreated, there can be long term symptoms including pain and swelling in the joints, nerve problems – such as numbness or pain in your limbs, memory problems, difficulty concentrating, and heart problems.
In two thirds of cases, those infected with Lyme disease will get a red rash, sometimes in the shape of a ‘bulls-eye’. The presence of a rash, blood tests, and consideration of symptoms are used to diagnose Lyme disease.
Often people infected with Lyme disease do not notice a tick bite, which easily done when some are as small as poppy seeds.
A wide range of symptoms with that look like any number of other conditions. Lyme disease has been called the ‘great pretender’. Symptoms which later turn out to be caused by Lyme disease are misdiagnosed as other conditions such as anxiety or chronic fatigue.
With cross-party participation, the debate covered a wide range of topics, from land management, impact on livestock, issues with diagnosis, and climate change.
In response, Jenni Minto, Minister for Public Health and Women’s Health welcomed the debate, highlighting the risks in more urban areas as well as the need for a collaborative response.
Commenting, Evelyn Tweed MSP said:
“Lyme disease can have an enormous impact on those infected, especially if untreated. I was pleased to be able to lead a debate in parliament to contribute to the Lyme Disease Awareness Month and call on the Government to do more to help those infected.
“Summer is a peak time for Lyme disease infection because more people are spending more time outdoors. It’s so important to keep an eye out for ticks, on ourselves as well as our pets. Removing ticks quickly will help prevent infection but removing them incorrectly may increase infection risk, so be sure to learn how to do it properly.
“The issues here are multi sector, overlapping healthcare, education, forestry and land management, academia. To take successful action, a collaborative approach is required. I was pleased to be able to lead this debate and invite ambassadors from the Lyme Resource Centre to come and watch from the gallery and to meet with MSPs after.
Pauline Bowie is an ambassador for Lyme Resource Centre. She attended the debate along with other ambassadors. Afterwards, she said:
“I am very grateful as ambassador of ‘Lyme Resource Centre’ to Evelyn Tweed MSP and the Scottish parliament for helping to raise awareness of Lyme disease. Lyme disease is a preventable disease if symptoms are recognised early. With knowledge of how to prevent being infected, awareness of how to remove a tick and an understanding of what symptoms to look out for. Early treatment can avoid long term and often debilitating symptoms. We particularly welcome education of health professionals and awareness raising of the public. Our aim is for the public to continue to enjoy our wonderful outdoors safely.
More information on Lyme disease can be found here: https://www.lymeresourcecentre.com/
