The Country Women’s Association (CWA) is continuing its campaign to have Lyme Disease officially recognised, despite the dissolution of a federal government committee tasked to investigate its legitimacy.
Last month it was revealed the committee looking into whether the disease existed, had not been able to come to any firm conclusions, and was dissolved.
Lyme Disease is recognised in much of the Northern Hemisphere and is caused by a tick bite, leading to a fever, headache and fatigue.
The CWA New South Wales Vice President, Lois Stolley, says the group believes it exists.
“From the reports that we’ve had from members around the state from various areas, the Lyme Disease like syndrome is appearing in quite different areas,” she said.
“It seems to be a reasonably wide-spread thing and the more I look at it, the greater the parameters of the patients coming forward.”
Ms Stolley says there have been reports of Lyme-like symptoms at Hillston and Griffith, and the CWA wants it officially recognised.
“The costs incurred are horrendous, just horrendous,” she said.
“Some members have told us medical bills can be in excess of hundreds of dollars a month for antibiotics and anti parasitic medications and herbal supplements to counteract some of the consequences of earlier medication.”