Yesterday our federal Health Minister Jane Philpott posted a message regarding prevention of Lyme disease on her Government Facebook page (Heading is 5 Ways to Prevent Tick Bites). While we agree prevention is an important message, we feel there is much more that needs to be addressed by our Health Minister on the subject. For example, we would like to see a lot more guidance and updated education to medical professionals on how to clinically diagnose and properly treat early Lyme cases based on symptoms, since it is well established that the test is not accurate for at least 6 weeks, and also misses many cases after that time period. We would like to see guidance and education to the general public and medical professionals on the diagnosis and appropriate treatment of late state, disseminated Lyme disease and Co-Infections. We would like to see more discussion and awareness of the myriad of misdiagnoses that are commonly mistakenly attributed to Lyme victims, including arthritis, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, alzheimers, psychiatric conditions, lupus, MS, ALS and Parkinson’s disease. We think it is crucial that the suffering and frustration of Lyme victims of all ages is heard and acknowledged. We think the issues of transmission of Lyme during pregnancy, possible sexual transmission and blood supply safety must be urgently addressed. We think $4 million (spread over several years) is a grossly inadequate investment for a disease as serious and as fast growing as Lyme disease. We think the general public and all medical professionals need to be educated about, discussing and considering the possibility of the multiple Co-Infections that exist in our ticks and mosquitos – such as Babesia, Bartonella, Q Fever, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Anaplasma, Tularemia, Powassen Virus, Coxsackie Virus, among others. What do you think? We suggest that this is a great opportunity for your voice to be heard on the subject. You can leave your personal story, your comments, concerns and questions below this post – find it by clicking here to go to Minister Philpott’s facebook page, then scroll down until you find this post, then type in the “comments” section. Then, please continue to share this Petition and encourage even more Canadians to sign it. Thank you for your continued support. https://www.facebook.com/janepaulinephilpott/