Press Release
Rapid spread of Lyme disease threatens public health
Monday, July 7 2008
The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) is calling on the Government to tackle the growing public health threat posed by Lyme Disease and other pest related illnesses.
According to the National Public Health Service in Cardiff, there are an estimated 800 Laboratory cases of Lyme Disease confirmed annually, however this figure does not take into account between 1000-2000 cases each year that have been diagnosed and treated by GPs.
Lyme Disease is caused by infected ticks and can cause symptoms from a rash to blindness and paralysis. Treating Lyme Disease is often complicated by the fact that it is often misdiagnosed and underreported.
Recent developments in pest-borne diseases in the US and Europe and the spread of Lyme disease in both Europe and Northern America, have signalled strongly the crucial need to carefully assess the potential threat of urban pests to public health.
The call to action coincides with the launch of a World Health Organization book entitled The Public health significance of urban pests, which urges governments to better address the rising public health threats posed by pests related illnesses.
Commenting, CIEH Chief Executive Graham Jukes said, "We strongly urge the Government to take greater responsibility for pest management and to raise the profile of diseases such as Lyme Disease. Over the past decade we saw how West Nile Virus spread from small area of the USA to a disease that now affects the whole country.
"Lyme Disease in this country is spreading and the number of cases is rising significantly. This is a misunderstood disease that can cause untold misery to its victims. We urge the Government to make this a notifiable disease." For more information please visit http://www.hpa.org.uk/webw/HPAweb&Page&HPAwebAutoListName/Page/1191942149546?p=1191942149546
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