Experts say no Lyme disease exists in Australia

MEDICAL experts say there is no evidence that Lyme disease exists in Australia and patients should not be given drugs to treat suspected cases.

Professor Peter Collignon of the Australian National University.

THERE is no evidence that Lyme disease — a bacterium carried by ticks — exists in Australia and medical experts warn that giving patients drugs to treat suspected cases was “unjustifiable and unethical”.

Thousands of Australians believe there have been local infections of the disease, which exists in America and Europe.

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Despite a lack of evidence of any locally acquired cases, those reporting symptoms ­associated with the disease, ­including fatigue, muscle pain and neurological issues, are being given antibiotics.

Lyme disease is transferred by a tick bite.

The debate over the presence of the disease in Australia has led to patients being diagnosed with a ”Lyme disease-like illness” for which they are receiving prolonged treatment.

But in a review in the Medical Journal of Australia, ­Prof Peter Collignon, of the Australian National University, and co-authors warn it could “do more harm than good”.

Not only does it put them at risk of blood infections, it may also contribute to increasing antibiotic resistance. They say it is likely new viruses in ticks that can cause infections in humans will be found in Australia, but insist that until then, doctors should not give prolonged antibiotic treatments.

Originally published as Experts say no Lyme disease exists in Australia