Lyme disease gets attention of MP Karen Ludwig

New Brunswick SouthwestMP Karen Ludwig is fulfilling a campaign promise to bring national attention to Lyme disease as she prepares to co-chair a national all-party round table next week.

Ludwig says she couldn't ignore the problem after going doortodoor and talking with voters.

"I was very surprised at the number of people that talked about Lymedisease across the riding and how it was impacting them, their families and their jobs," Ludwig told Information Morning Moncton.

"And so I made a commitment ... thatif I gotelectedI would take it on."

Information Morning - Saint John7:00N.B. MP chairs national discussion on Lyme disease

Karen Ludwig, MP for New Brunswick Southwest, is co-chairing a national all-party round table on Lyme disease.Ludwig kept her promise and the first question the rookie MP asked in the House of Commons was about Lyme disease.

"I posed the question ... tothe minister of health and asked her what thegovernmentplan was fordealing with early prevention, early detection and treatment for people suffering from Lymedisease," she said.

Last week a demonstration was held on the lawn of the New Brunswick Legislature warning about the increasing number of cases of Lyme disease.

• Lyme disease under-reported in New Brunswick say advocates for better care

In 2015, there weremore than 700 cases ofLymediseasereported to the Public Health Agency of Canada. In 2009, there were 128cases.

Stories difficult to hear

Ludwig says the most difficult stories she heard were from people likeBruce Ross ofSt Stephen, who couldn't get anyone to believe that he was ill.

"He wasdiagnosedwith Lymedisease in the [United] States, not in Canada. The strand that he had was not being detected in Canada. So it was very frustrating, it's been very draining," she said.

"He and his wife both talked about the financial impact of travelling to the U.S. fortreatmentand the mental health issues and the challenges of being misunderstood, the frustrations, the physical suffering that takes place with Lymedisease."

Ludwig says has heard from many people have been forced to travel to Maine for treatment, and many who have been referred to a psychiatrist when doctors didn't believe them.

She hopesthe round table on Mondaywill lead to a national database of confirmedLymedisease cases across the country and guidelines for medical professionals.

"It's a really important next step for me personally and for Canadians to raise awareness among members of Parliament."

Ludwig says many MPs have approached her to say they have heard similar stories in their ridings as well.

Last week, the Public Health Agency of Canadaheld a conferenceonLymedisease, which coveredenhanced surveillance, treatment guidelines and education and awareness for clinicians on what to look for and how to treat it.