Lyme Disease Involvement

As anglers and hunters, our activities place us in close contact with ticks that can carry Lyme disease. The OFAH has been keeping the hunting and fishing community updated on the latest Lyme disease information.  The OFAH was represented on the provincial Lyme Disease and Tick-borne Illness Task Force as the only non-health-care-related stakeholder.  The latest report created by the task force contains recommendations to improve the health and well-being of Ontarians affected by the disease.  In addition to the task force, the OFAH has been pushing for better testing, treatment options, medical information and public awareness on Lyme disease.  This included supporting federal legislation (Bill C-442) to establish a national Lyme disease strategy, and provincial legislation (Bill 27) to develop a similar provincial level strategy in Ontario.  As of January 1, 2018, the OFAH introduced Lyme disease coverage as well as medical and travel expenses coverage to OFAH member insurance.  The insurance would pay $2500 to the member after a confirmed diagnosis of Lyme disease (after January 1, 2018), and would also help with travel expenses for Lyme disease treatments.  “Ticks and the threat of Lyme disease is a reality in many areas of Ontario. We spend a lot of time in the outdoors and must be diligent as individuals in preventing tick bites. As a Federation, we are pushing governments at all levels to make the investments needed for prevention, timely and effective diagnosis, and proper treatment of Lyme disease,” says OFAH Manager of Fish and Wildlife Services Matt DeMille.  Visit our web page to read up on Lyme disease and to help raise awareness among the hunting and outdoors community www.ofah.org/lymedisease.