The deputy mayor of Essex is the latest to call on the province to improve testing for Lyme Disease.
The virus is carried by infected ticks.
Richard Meloche, commenting on a letter from the Niagara region calling for better diagnostic tests, says it's almost like there's a two-tiered system since jurisdictions in the U.S., like Michigan, already have it.
"If you're a person here in Ontario who doesn't have that knowledge that they do different tests somewhere else, or you can't afford to go somewhere else to have the test done, then you're stuck with the diagnosis."
Lamenting that some people wait years for a correct diagnosis, Meloche says it's not just socially irresponsible, it's fiscally irresponsible too.
"I've heard numerous person's testimonials as to the effects that it's had on their lives," he says. "And it's costing the medical system money for these wrong diagnoses."
Wednesday, the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit starts dragging for black-legged ticks in three locations in Windsor-Essex. A white flannel cloth is dragged in areas where the ticks may be present. Ticks collected by the health unit will be tested for Lyme Disease.
