Disease Management

Tuesday, 26 May 2026

Questions (1208, 1209, 1210, 1214, 1220)

Ken O'Flynn

Question:

1208. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health if the HSE maintains a dedicated referral pathway for patients presenting with suspected neurological lyme disease, lyme arthritis or lyme carditis [39052/26]

View answer

Ken O'Flynn

Question:

1209. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the laboratories recognised by the HSE for lyme disease testing; the testing methodologies currently utilised; and if a review of international testing standards has been undertaken since 2020. [39053/26]

View answer

Ken O'Flynn

Question:

1210. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health if the Department or HSE has examined international approaches to lyme disease diagnosis, testing and long-term patient management; if so, which jurisdictions were examined; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39054/26]

View answer

Ken O'Flynn

Question:

1214. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health if her Department has assessed regional or seasonal trends in lyme disease incidence within the State; and if she will provide details of same. [39058/26]

View answer

Ken O'Flynn

Question:

1220. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health if lyme disease is included within national communicable disease surveillance and reporting frameworks operated by the HSE and Health Protection Surveillance Centre; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39064/26]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1208, 1209, 1210, 1214 and 1220 together.

Lyme disease, also known as Lyme borreliosis, is an infection transmitted to humans through the bite of infected ticks, and it can occasionally lead to serious illness. Ticks are present throughout Ireland, including both urban and rural areas. Although ticks can be active year-round, the period of highest tick activity and therefore Lyme disease is between April and October.

The HSE’s National Health Protection Office, through the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) provides information on the surveillance of Lyme disease. The HPSC offers a wide range of resources to help people reduce their risk of tick bites, including seasonal updates for both the public and healthcare professionals.

In 2011, Ireland became one of the first EU countries to make Lyme disease a statutorily notifiable disease. The notifiable entity is Lyme neuroborreliosis, which affects the nervous system. Between 4 and 21 cases of Lyme neuroborreliosis are notified annually in Ireland. This is considerably less than the total number of cases of early Lyme infection, which is primarily a skin infection. However, the levels of Lyme neuroborreliosis are considered to serve as an indicator of overall Lyme disease activity in the country.

Each year in early May, the HSE marks Tick Awareness Day, by providing practical advice on the prevention of tick bites, which can transmit Lyme disease. This is done through website news articles, social media posts, press releases and media interviews. This initiative encourages individuals to take preventive measures during periods when tick activity is highest. Information is provided on common tick habitats, high-risk behaviours, prevention strategies, and how to safely remove and identify ticks.

To further spread public awareness, the HSE provides downloadable posters and leaflets that are intended to be distributed in community centres, schools, and recreational and other common public and private spaces, especially those with an increased risk of tick exposure. These materials are designed to inform individuals about the risks of tick bites and the importance of preventive actions.

A full suite of Lyme Disease resources, including posters and information leaflets, is available through the HPSC website. These posters are suitable for display on publicly accessible land, and the HPSC has actively promoted their availability to Government Departments and public agencies that manage such areas. Local authorities, healthcare professionals, and members of the public are encouraged to download and share these materials.

In addition to public awareness and prevention efforts, clinical pathways for diagnosis and treatment are well established. There is a National Clinical Programme in Infectious Diseases reporting to the office of the Chief Clinical Officer. There has been a significant expansion in the number of Infectious Diseases consultants appointed throughout the country. These Consultants see patients with Infectious Diseases, including patients with Lyme Disease.

GPs are familiar with the most typical presentation, often a rash with a bull’s eye appearance. Most cases can be treated with a brief course of antibiotics, while more complicated cases are referred to infectious disease clinics. Patients with post-Lyme syndrome can be referred by their GP to a public hospital infectious disease clinic in Ireland.

Diagnosis and treatment in clinics operating in the public hospital system is in line with national and international best practice guidelines, as outlined in Infectious Diseases Society of America guidelines that have been endorsed by the Infectious Diseases Society of Ireland.

Lyme testing in Ireland is available to all clinical sites, either onsite or via the National Virus Reference Laboratory (NVRL). Confirmatory testing (western blot - an analytical technique in molecular biology and immunogenetics to detect specific proteins in a sample of tissue) is referred to the UK Lyme Reference Service.

There are a number of laboratories outside of Ireland using tests based on other methods that report positive results in a very high number of people who do not have antibodies. As with all diagnostic tests, it is essential to ensure that testing for Lyme disease should only be performed by an accredited laboratory that use validated tests and participate in a formal external quality assurance programme. Non-validated tests pose a clinical risk of misdiagnosis, exposing patients to inappropriate treatment as well as a delay in correctly diagnosing their symptoms.

Question No. 1209 answered with Question No. 1208.

Question No. 1210 answered with Question No. 1208.

Question No. 1211 answered with Question No. 1204.