Lyme in Canada

This site was put together out of a serious need to educate people; doctors and patients alike, on the very real, very serious epidemic of Lyme Disease that exists in North America today. 

In this site you will find results of research conducted under direction of Dr. Ernie Murakami, a leading force in Canada behind the study of the disease, under much controversy and speculation.

After choosing to retire due to health concerns from undue stress, Dr. Murakami has made it his lifework to continue to offer hope and resolution to the hundreds of Lyme sufferers around the world. You will read testimonial after testimonial from the patients Dr. Murakami has treated, as well as supportive colleagues, and view data that proves his grounds for treatment. 

This site is here to educate. If but one medical school can be convinced to include the treatment of Lyme Disease in the methods Dr. Murakami has shown success in, then the fight has been worth fighting.  

Of Special Interest

Manitoba Gets Onboard! Dr. Murakami attended a successful meeting in Winnipeg in May where the Manitoba Health Ministry unveiled their own research into Lyme in their province. Due to their findings, the province has developed the implementation of 10,000 park signs warning citizens that they are in Lyme infected areas! They have also indicated their willingness to breathe new life into a Lyme Research Center project that was discontinued many years ago. They are currently reviewing their Lyme Fact Sheet to update information. You can view their site at:

http://www.gov.mb.ca/health/lyme/about.html

View Dr. Murakami's Methods of Tick Removal on YouTube.

Click the link below to play the video which will show both the Blister Method as well as the Straw and Knot Method (one after the other)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9dsmFVPDqs

Blister Method: This method was developed together with Dr. Nima Shojania, 2nd Year Medical Student, UBC. This method is recommended for doctors in emergency room settings or everyday practice. The solution used is 1% Xylocaine with Adrenaline (pre-packaged units of 0.3cc injected intradermally.)

Straw and Knot Method:  This method was developed together with Dr. Susan Christie, 2nd Year Medical Student, UBC. This method is meant to service the general public.

   Symptoms of Lyme Disease

Although the diagnosis of Lyme is a CLINICAL diagnosis, some of the common symptoms of the disease seen in a clinical setting are a bulls-eye shaped rash around a bite site, followed by flu-like symtoms, fever and general malaise.  Please view the full list of symptoms available here.

Further in-depth notes regarding epidemiology, comparisons and diagnosis on Lyme Disease can be read in our Clinical Facts on Lyme section, accessible from the menu on the left.

cystic Borrelia burgdorferi

  What Is Lyme Disease?

Lyme Disease is an infectious disease carried by various birds, rodents, deer and ticks. There is indication that mosquitos and other biting insects may also be vectors to this disease. It is passed among the animals and insects in this group when a tick latches onto an infected host, usually a Deer Mouse. 

The spirochetes (Borrelia burgdorferi)  in the infected blood of the mouse enter the blood of the tick and begin another life cycle, or continue their lifecycle in the stomach of the tick. The tick then bites or latches onto a different host and infects the new host with the Lyme disease.

The disease was first discovered in 1970 with the characteristic bulls-eye rash appearing on men from the Groton, Conneticut submarine base, and the findings of studies reported by Navy doctors in 1974. 

The disease then affected a group of families in the town of Old Lyme, Conneticut, where awareness of the disease became more prominent, and it received its current common name of Lyme Disease. 

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