Lyme disease cases are rising. We don’t have a vaccine — but we used to

With Lyme disease cases climbing steadily in Canada, the lack of an available vaccine has become a pressing concern among infectious disease specialists. Getting bitten by a tick means risking a potential infection with Lyme disease. If left undiagnosed or untreated early, the bacteria can spread deep into different parts of the body and linger for years. This delayed diagnosis can lead to a roller-coaster of symptoms affecting the nervous system, joints, heart, and even skin, often appearing and disappearing unpredictably. Despite the growing concern about Lyme disease, current preventive measures are limited to using tick-repellent spray, using antibiotics and performing tick checks after spending time outdoors. The repercussions of Lyme disease can be profound. Last month, a 30-year-old Quebec woman opted for doctor-assisted death after years of battling the illness. Stéphanie Lavoie found herself bedridden in agonizing pain after contracting Lyme disease from a tick years ago. She said the intensity of...