| | |

Johns Hopkins receives $10M to expand research into Lyme disease cause, treatments

Grants from Steven and Alexandra Cohen Foundation support existing research on post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome, new therapies, vulnerable populations   Johns Hopkins University has received a $10 million grant from the Steven and Alexandra Cohen Foundation to explore Lyme disease and develop potential new therapies to address the illness. The grant will be divided among…

| | | |

Established Population of Blacklegged Ticks with High Infection Prevalence for the Lyme Disease Bacterium, Borrelia burgdorferi Sensu Lato, on Corkscrew Island, Kenora District, Ontario

2016; 13(11): 881-891. doi: 10.7150/ijms.16922 Abstract We document an established population of blacklegged ticks, Ixodes scapularis, on Corkscrew Island, Kenora District, Ontario, Canada. Primers of the outer surface protein A (OspA) gene, the flagellin (fla) gene, and the flagellin B (flaB) gene were used in the PCR assays to detect Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (s.l.),…

| | | |

Dr. Nevena Zubcevik of the Harvard Medical School dispels some long held, over published myths about Lyme disease

Dispelling myths … “Dr. Nevena Zubcevik of the Harvard Medical School, and co-director of the Dean Center for Tick-Borne Illnesses, warned that the medical community is not keeping up with current findings. For example, “The conception that the tick has to be attached for 48 hours is completely outdated,” she said, citing studies that show…

| | | |

Halifax: Increasing Threat of Tick-Borne Diseases, Viruses

By Lenny Rowe Halifax town officials are taking steps to raise awareness about tick-borne diseases and viruses. Halifax Health Agent Cathy Drinan and members of the Norwell Visiting Nurse Association gave a presentation last week to inform the public about tick-borne diseases and viruses and the new forms that are spreading rapidly on the South Shore and Cape…

| |

Timmins, Ontario: Tick taken from local resident linked to Lyme disease

[CanLyme Note: Continuing to inform the public as to whether they are in a low risk or high risk area is wrong and disarming. Considering the abundance of science it is alarming that public health still feels the need to not report the complete picture. Ticks are transported randomly by migratory birds such as robins, wrens,…

| | | |

Same Tick, Different Disease: Vermont Health Dept. Warns Of Rise Of Anaplasmosis

[CanLyme Note: Canadian cases of anaplasmosis are on the rise as well] By MITCH WERTLIEB, LIAM CONNORS SEP 28, 2016 The Vermont Department of Health announced that the state is on pace to hit a record number of cases of anaplasmosis, a disease spread by the black-legged tick. As of September, there have been 133…

| | |

Global Antibiotic Stewardship Denies Native Americans Lyme Treatment Options

Posted September 28th, 2016 Written by Jenna Luché-Thayer Author info: Bio – Jenna Luché-Thayer’s expertise includes government transparency and accountability and the integration of marginalized groups. Luché-Thayer is informed by three decades of professional policy and grassroots experience in 40 countries. She has extensive experience in congressional relations, testimony and legislation. She has worked with governments,…

| | |

Canadian Press – Lyme disease: Patients living in ‘medical limbo’ push for federal strategy

Keith Doucette, The Canadian Press, posted September 11, 2016 Lack of awareness, diagnosis and treatment by doctors a problem in Lyme disease battle: advocates The health issues piled up for Donna Lugar, one on top of another: She had breathing trouble, vision and hearing problems, even heart issues, but finding a cause was elusive. “Occasionally…

| | | |

Steroid Use Questioned for Common Lyme Disease Manifestation

[CanLyme Note: Facial palsy, Bell’s Palsy, is not as common in Lyme patients as reported. It is easily recognized making those patients much more likely to be diagnosed. Most patients with Lyme disease do not experience facial palsy as it is typically a facial numbness and tingling/burning, often around the mouth, nose, and the tongue.] Sept….

| | | | | |

CanLyme director responds to Canadian Medical Association Journal article

Response to Doctors Gregson and Quach Robert G. Murray, DDS, Director, CanLyme Re: “The Lyme law” Zubek, 187:520-521doi:10.1503/cmaj.115-0029 The problem with Lyme disease in Canada will only continue to grow to the point where the numbers affected will simply overwhelm the idea that Lyme Borreliosis (LB) is hard to catch and easy to treat with…

| | | |

Lyme Patients Challenge CDC, Reports the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons (AAPS)

TUCSON, Ariz., Aug. 25, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — While Zika is grabbing headlines as an emerging disease, another arthropod-borne condition, Lyme disease, remains in the shadows although it affects far more Americans, with about 300,000 new cases per year, states the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons (AAPS). Read full article

| | | |

Black-legged ticks found at Riding Mountain National Park

[CanLyme Note: “Officials aren’t ready yet to sound the alarms”… here we are in 2016 and Health Canada still refuses to let the public in on the truth… Lyme disease carrying ticks are found anywhere that our friendly robins, finches, wren, and other passerine birds fly in Canada.  Measuring by known risk areas and rating them…

| | |

Study cites Powassan link to long-term Lyme symptoms

August 14th, 2016 By Cynthia McCormick Scientists at a Wisconsin laboratory say they suspect persistent cases of Lyme disease may be complicated by the potentially deadly Powassan virus that’s been making headlines in recent years, including on Cape Cod. Developing a better understanding of the frequency of the Powassan virus in humans could help doctors…