Lack of signage relating to Lyme Disease danger highlighted

Outdoor enthusiasts need to be made aware of Lyme Disease and what to do if they feel they may have come into contact with the virus spreading tick that carries it.

That's according to Cllr Helen Meyer of Sinn Fein who tabled a motion calling on Meath County Council to install signs in public areas such as woods, cycle paths, mountain trails and beaches to educate the public about the risks of Lyme disease at its May meeting last week. She said three other councils have already put up these signs in other parts of the country.

She pointed out that the Lyme Resource Centre will provide these signs at no cost and these signs should include information on tick awareness, including a QR code with HSE information on what to do if you are bitten by a tick.

The written response from the council stated that it is not within the remit of the Transportation Department to erect signs in relation to public health and that it would be a matter for the HSE, but that it would support a HSE run campaign and accommodate the erection of signs if required.

It also suggested that a national information or communication campaign run by the HSE may be more effective at raising public awareness than the placing of signs in rural locations.

Cllr Meyer stated that if Meath County Council is not willing to erect these signs itself, a request to the HSE should be made and the motion was amended to write to the HSE to ask them to erect such signs.