Calls for a Lyme disease unit at University Hospital Kerry

A Kerry Fianna Fáil Councillor has repeated his call for a dedicated testing and treatment unit for Lyme disease, to be set up in University Hospital Kerry, as well as the appointment of a Consultant in Infectious Diseases.

“The recently released report on the impacts of our deer population by the Deer Stakeholder Forum, does not appear to address the issue of Lyme disease being transmitted by infected blacklegged or deer ticks. Time is of the essence in the diagnosis and treatment of Lyme dis- ease and a dedicated unit locally in Kerry would be a major advantage in the fight against this terribly debilitating illness. The herds of deer in Killarney National Park have been identified as a source for the ticks that spread Lyme disease and it is only common sense then, that we are prepared to deal with it," said Cllr Michael Cahill.

“This is not my first time calling for such a facility and I hope it will not fall on deaf ears on this occasion. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential for those who contract this illness while simply walking in the open air."