From Stephanie Woodcock, Carnon Downs, Cornwall, UK
In light of the findings of the study you mention that found 15 per cent of the global population have Lyme antibodies, it is perhaps no surprise to read that Lyme disease bacteria can persist in the body. The high seroprevalence indicates that asymptomatic people also have these antibodies. An unknown number of them won’t know they harbour the infection. Researcher Richard Marconi singles out the northern hemisphere as being particularly prone to this. Arguably, then, wealthy, high-income nations need to be very aware of the risks(21 June, p 36).
That false negative testing occurs, that some people who have been fully treated still find themselves ill, won’t be news to Lyme patients. It reflects what they have been saying for years.
There is no place for the complacency that UK patients have been subject to. Planning, in light of Lyme disease and the many other vector-borne diseases, must step up a gear as temperatures increase.
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