For immediate release

Thursday, April 21, 2016

Queen’s University and KFL&A Public Health host national symposium on Lyme disease

Kingston—  KFL&A Public Health and Queen’s University are hosting a symposium on Lyme disease research on Thursday, April 21 and Friday, April 22, 2016.  The focus of the two-day symposium is to discuss and to 

coordinate future research, and efforts towards preventing, monitoring, diagnosing and treating Lyme disease on a national level.

By bringing medical expertise from across the country, KFL&A Public Health and Queen’s University are trying to initiate the creation of a National Lyme Disease Network.  If created, the new network could be the first of its kind in Canada, focused on multidisciplinary research on tick-borne illness, with a focus on Lyme disease. 

“KFL&A Public Health is committed to informing area residents about the risks posed by Lyme disease and the preventive actions that can be taken to mitigate this serious illness,” said Dr. Kieran Moore, Associate Medical Officer of Health at KFL&A Public Health.  “We want to partner with Queen’s University and others to coordinate research to meet identified knowledge gaps, that will help us to protect the health of our community.”  

Lyme disease is the most common tick-borne illness in Canada.  It is a bacterial infection caused by Borrelia burgdorferi, and is transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected black-legged tick.  Initial symptoms often include a rash and flu-like symptoms.  If left untreated, a patient with Lyme disease can experience severe symptoms including heart, joint and nervous system disorders, as well as recurring neurological problems. 

Tick surveillance is being conducted across Canada to understand the prevalence ticks that are infected with Lyme disease.  The number of reported Lyme disease cases in Canada increased significantly between 2009 and 2013, from 123 to 682 cases annually.  Low-risk areas are quickly becoming high-risk, as tick populations become established.  In Ontario, 16 new zones have been designated as high-risk.

Over the two days, network members will cover a variety of topics related to Lyme disease including discussions on: the best way to coordinate and to collaborate research efforts, the current epidemiology of Lyme disease in Canada, current surveillance and modeling of tick populations, climate change and its effects on the prevalence of Lyme disease current research gaps, how to improve public education and engagement, and finally, planning for future research strategies. 

 
This symposium is by invitation only. Media are invited to attend on Friday, April 22, 2016 at 8:30 a.m., at the Delta Hotel in downtown Kingston, to interview speakers and attendees.  Sophie Kiwala, MPP, will be making opening remarks on Friday morning. 

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For more information contact:

Maddie Crothers

Communications and Public Relations Specialist

KFL&A Public Health

613-549-1232, ext. 1543

maddie.crothers@kflapublichealth.ca

ref: PR042116-01