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http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=local&id=4809819

WABC-TV
Channel 7
New York NY
November 30, 2006

'Lyme Wars' patients rally in Westchester

7 Eyewitness News

(Valhalla - WABC, November 30, 2006) - Hundreds of Lyme Disease
patients rallied outside the Westchester Medical Center Thursday, in
protest of new disease guidelines released by the Infectious Disease
Society of America (ISDA) in October.

The guidelines have ignited the latest round of patient outrage in
what is sometimes referred to as "The Lyme Wars."

At least 300 protesters, hailing from the tri-state area and as far
as California, are expected to attend.

The patients say the previous diagnostic and treatment protocols
were already misleading and inadequate.

The Westchester Medical Center is home to three ISDA committee
members, including lead author Dr. Gary Wormser.

The new guidelines recommend any clinical diagnosis be supported by
a positive test or a bull's eye rash, despite the fact that experts
say the tests are unreliable and the rash does not occur in 50
percent of cases.

(Copyright 2006 WABC-TV)
 

Revised 12/05/06