UK : Scientists and doctors unite to defeat tick bite disease
DOCTORS and scientists are working to develop the first UK-wide campaign to tackle a chronic bacterial infection that has increased 1000% in Scotland over the past decade.
Lyme disease can affect organs such as the heart and brain, resulting in a range of long-term ill-health, including vision and mobility problems. The multi-disciplinary team is being set up following concerns the condition, more common in Scotland than elsewhere in the UK, often goes undiagnosed.
GPs, infectious disease experts, microbiologists, neurologists and patient groups are to be involved in drawing up the first official clinical .guidance for treatment.
It will examine the symptoms of the disease, which is carried by infected ticks, as well as give advice about diagnosis and treatment.
Rates of Lyme disease are more than three times higher in Scotland than England, with hot spots in Highland and Tayside.
Work on the guidance will be co-ordinated by Public Health England’s Rare and Imported Pathogens Laboratory (RIPL) at Porton Down in Wiltshire and involve doctors and scientists in Scotland.