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Canada’s leading experts in Lyme disease research will gather in Kingston for the Queen’s Lyme Disease Symposium on April 21-22. The symposium aims to foster collaborative research and a better understanding of tick-borne illnesses and the factors that contribute to their transmission.

“This symposium is a way to bring together some of Canada’s leading researchers to discuss how best to coordinate our efforts towards preventing, monitoring, diagnosing and treating Lyme disease,” says Dr. Kieran Moore, a Professor of Emergency and Family Medicine at Queen’s University and the Associate Medical Officer of Health for KFL&A Public Health.

The symposium will serve to highlight future research to combat the spread of Lyme disease. Following a discussion of the current state of research, discussion will shift to best practices for tracking infection rates, treatment of the disease and future developments.

One of many topics of discussion will be the creation of a National Lyme Disease Research Network. Such a network would be the first of its kind in Canada, and could draw on existing resources and multidisciplinary expertise from Queen’s University and public health agencies from across the country.  

“A National Lyme Disease Research Network would create research synergies and opportunities for Canadian researchers,” says Dr.  Steven Liss, Vice-Principal (Research) at Queen’s University.  “Furthermore, the network could draw on existing resources and multidisciplinary expertise from Queen’s University and public health agencies from across the country, leading to a deeper fundamental understanding of Lyme disease and potentially improved diagnosis, better treatment, cure, and prevention.”

Lyme disease is a bacterial infection transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected black legged tick. It is the most common tick-borne illness in Canada. The first sign of infection is usually a circular rash, commonly known as the ‘bulls-eye’ rash. Other initial symptoms are flu-like and there is a risk that patients and physicians may mistake the disease with the common flu.

If left untreated, the patient may progress to secondary Lyme disease with severe symptoms including heart, joint and nervous system disorders. The third stage of Lyme disease can last for years with recurring neurological problems and arthritis.