Lyme disease, or Lyme borreliosis, is one of the most pressing yet misunderstood health concerns in Europe today. Despite its pervasive impact, the lack of unified data, effective diagnostics, and standardized treatments has left millions of Europeans vulnerable to undiagnosed or improperly treated cases. The European Parliament and other EU institutions have highlighted this alarming issue repeatedly, yet progress remains painfully slow.
In this article, we will explore official EU statements, resolutions, and warnings about Lyme disease. We will also expose the discrepancies between these official positions and the actions (or inactions) of governments, medical institutions, and practitioners.
The official position of the European Union on Lyme disease - treatment and diagnosis
The Hidden Epidemic
"The true extent of Lyme borreliosis in the EU is unknown"
The information in the resolution from the European Parliament is definite:
"The true extent of Lyme borreliosis in the EU is unknown due to the lack of statistics on this disease and the very wide variety of definitions and methods to detecting, diagnosing and treating it in the EU."
This quote, from the publication Parliament calls for "alarming" spread of Lyme disease to be tackled, underscores the fragmented and inconsistent approach to Lyme disease across Europe. With no centralized data collection, policymakers are effectively blind to the real burden of this disease. Shockingly, attempts by individual governments or institutions to claim they have accurate figures directly contradict this official European Parliament statement.
"The disease is under-diagnosed"
The same publication reveals:
"The disease is under-diagnosed because of the difficulties in detecting symptoms and the absence of appropriate diagnostic tests."
This admission is both sobering and infuriating. Millions of potential Lyme disease patients remain undiagnosed due to inadequate testing protocols and the disease’s complex symptomatology. Yet, many doctors and institutions continue to downplay this issue, misleading patients by suggesting existing tests are sufficient.
Long COVID: A Misunderstood Parallel
The term "long COVID" has been widely adopted to describe persistent symptoms following COVID-19 infection. However, the European Parliament has issued a critical warning in its OPINION of the Committee on Development:
"Emphasises the surge in PAIS following COVID-19 infections, which in this case are also called long COVID; notes that PAIS also occur following other bacterial, viral and parasitic infections, including, among others, mononucleosis, Lyme disease, Ebola, polio and influenza; underlines that the pathogenesis of PAIS is linked to ME/CFS."
This statement highlights that long-term symptoms are not unique to COVID-19 but also occur after infections like Lyme disease. The EU’s recognition of this connection raises serious concerns about the current narrative from many institutions. Claims that solely attribute persistent symptoms to COVID-19 while ignoring Lyme disease and other infections are both misleading and contrary to EU findings.
Research and Diagnosis: The Unfulfilled Promises
International Cooperation Lags Behind
The European Parliament resolution of 15 November 2018 on Lyme disease states:
"Calls for additional international cooperation on research into Lyme disease."
Six years later, this call remains largely unheeded. International research efforts remain disjointed, with no unified strategy or funding to address the complexities of Lyme disease. This neglect is unacceptable given the resolution’s urgency.
Diagnosing Without Positive Serology
Point 14 of the same resolution states:
"Asks Member States to expand the use of clinical examination so that doctors can diagnose Lyme disease even if the serology tests are negative."
This call to action highlights the limitations of serological testing and the importance of clinical diagnosis. Yet, there is little evidence that doctors across Europe have been trained or authorized to diagnose Lyme disease based on clinical signs alone. Millions of patients have been denied accurate diagnoses due to an overreliance on flawed tests, a fact concealed from public discourse.
Fragmented Practices: A Barrier to Progress
No European Consensus
The resolution states:
"Whereas there is no European consensus on the treatment, diagnosis and screening of Lyme disease and national practices vary."
This lack of consensus perpetuates confusion and inconsistent care across the EU. Any claims by doctors or institutions that a single diagnostic or treatment protocol is universally valid contradict the European Parliament’s official position.
The Burden of Inaccurate Testing
Point J acknowledges:
"The true burden of Lyme borreliosis in the EU is unknown due to the lack of statistics on this disease and the very wide variety of applied case definitions, laboratory methods used and surveillance systems."
This variability undermines the reliability of any claims about the disease’s prevalence or diagnosis. Individuals or institutions that assert otherwise are disregarding official EU findings.
Divergent Treatment Guidelines
The resolution also notes:
"The ILADS (International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society) treatment practice guidelines differ from those of IDSA (Infectious Diseases Society of America) and these differences between the two approaches to the disease also have an impact on treatment practices in the EU."
This disparity reveals that treatment practices vary widely. The endorsement of one approach over another without acknowledging these differences misleads patients and disregards official EU recognition of the issue.
Chronic Lyme Disease: A Denied Reality
The resolution highlights:
"A profound understanding of the mechanism which turns Lyme disease into a chronic disease is lacking."
Despite this, some medical professionals and institutions continue to deny the existence of chronic Lyme disease. Such claims are in direct contradiction to the European Parliament’s acknowledgment of this unresolved issue.
Faulty Testing Undermines Trust
Point P explicitly states:
"The screening tests used for Lyme disease are not always able to provide accurate results, one such example being the Elisa test which only detects one infection at a time."
This official recognition of flawed testing protocols is alarming. Patients who trust these tests as definitive are being misled, often at great personal and financial cost.
The Need for Evidence-Based Guidance
Finally, the resolution’s point 12 calls for:
"The development of evidence-based guidance on clinical and laboratory diagnosis of Lyme borreliosis."
This statement underscores the absence of current, reliable diagnostic standards. The silence from governments, institutions, and medical professionals on this matter is deafening and speaks to a deliberate suppression of critical information.
Conclusion: A Call to Action
The European Parliament has repeatedly acknowledged the urgent need for better diagnostics, treatments, and research into Lyme disease. Yet, these official positions are being ignored or actively suppressed. Patients continue to suffer, misdiagnosed or undiagnosed, while governments and institutions fail to act.
It is imperative that this information is made widely available and that systemic changes are implemented to address the Lyme disease crisis. Only through transparency, accountability, and collaboration can we hope to tackle this hidden epidemic.