Lyme disease updates
As the warmer weather approaches and our residents are spending more time outdoors, Hastings Prince Edward Public Health (HPEPH) encourages our health care partners to be aware of updates to clinical guidance, testing and surveillance information for Lyme disease.
We have an opportunity to ensure improved care for people who experience a tick bite with the diagnosis and treatment of early localized Lyme disease. Initial symptoms of Lyme disease vary from asymptomatic to a combination of fever, headache, myalgia, stiff neck and fatigue. The characteristic circular “bull’s eye rash” called erythema migrans (EM) may or may not be present. If Lyme disease goes untreated it may progress to the joints, heart and nervous system.
Patient management
Testing platform
As of April 1, Public Health Ontario Lab switched to a new two-tiered ELISA test and will be reported as such. This is in an effort to detect more persons in the early phases of Lyme disease infection. Western blots are no longer completed.
- Updated - Public Health Ontario Laboratory Lyme Disease Serology
- Serological testing is:
- NOT recommended for asymptomatic patients, including those following a tick bite.
- Generally not recommended for individuals with Erythema migrans, acute phase (seasonal occurrence and exposure in an endemic/risk area).
- USEFUL for individuals in the absence of a rash, presenting with non-specific symptoms where Lyme disease is suspected. An acute and convalescent specimen (2-4 weeks apart) may be required for laboratory confirmation of Lyme disease
Surveillance
Increased awareness of areas with potential exposures to blacklegged tick (ixodes scapularis) bites may assist clinicians with decisions for testing, prophylaxis and/or treatment.
Patient information
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