Warning over Lyme disease levels

Lyme disease - a bacterial infection spread by infected ticks - could officially be classed as an epidemic within the next decade, experts have warned.

Saturday, May 20, was World Lyme Disease day, intended to raise awareness of the debilitating illness.

It is easily treated if diagnosed early, but if the illness remains undetected, it can lead to years of illness including joint and heart problems, chronic pain and neurological problems.

An early-stage sign is a distinctive circular rash - like a bull's eye - at the site of the tick bite, usually around three to 30 days after being bitten.

Cases are thought to be increasing by 65% per year globally. Matthias Lacoste, president of the Droit de guérir association, and a victim of the disease, said: "We are talking about an epidemic, even a pandemic. Officially, there are 33,000 new cases each year. But the associations of patients speak of at least 10 times that number."

He added that some medical experts - including Luc Montagnier, who is recognised as one of the scientists who discovered HIV - saying that 90% of the population of Europe carry the pathogen that causes Lyme disease.

In the vast majority of cases, the illness does not develop, but for those who do contract the chronic form of the disease, it can cause long-term misery.

Most tick bites happen in late spring, early summer and autumn because these are the times of year when most people take part in outdoor activities.