According to the Ministry of Health, Saskatchewan has had a total of three cases of Lyme Disease since 2008. However, according to many people, including the President of the Canadian Lyme Disease Foundation, Jim Wilson, that number is way off. 

"There's more than that, there's no question," he explained. "It's not going to be large numbers as compared to a province like Ontario or BC, but certainly there's more than three cases."

The reason for the discrepancies in the numbers could be a many factors.

"Testing, number one is not good. So many people are being given a negative test for Lyme disease when they actually do have the disease. And the other is that it's largley not even on the radar of Saskatchewan physicians to be on the lookout for so it's being missed in some people and called anything but Lyme Disease."

He adds that many people who go to their doctors are dismissed as hypochondriacs.

"Unfortunately, too many doctors look at the patient when they come in and complain of brain fog, bowel problems, joint problems, breathing problems, typically doctors look at that and say, 'You can't have all those symptoms, it must bee all in your head. Go home and take a stress pill.'"

He adds that while some people present with a bright, red bulls-eye rash, the majority don't. 

"That should be quite identifiable to most doctors as Lyme Disease, and it's supposed to be treated as such. Unfortunately, most people do not get that identifiable rash. So it's often just flu-like symptoms."

"A lot of people don't initially get symptoms, their health just starts to decline over time. This is a multi-systemic disease. It can affect  all systems of the body, the brain, the heart, the respiratory system, the liver, the bowels. It's a complex set of symptoms that can creep into a person over a period of time. And it's exactly that complex number of symptoms that is the fingerprint of chronic Lyme Disease."

If you do think you have Lyme Disease, he suggests you consult your doctor and ask for the blood test. 

"Ask for the provincial test with the full understanding that if it comes back negative, it in no way rules out Lyme Disease. So if you are still experiencing symptoms and you think it still could be Lyme Disease, connect with the Canadian Lyme Disease Foundation and we can direct you as to where to access better tests and hopefully some help as far as getting a clinician. It may no be in your province unfortunately."

He adds that he would like to see more understanding within the medical community about the symptoms of Lyme Disease to make a timely and accurate diagnosis.

READ MORE: "There's Mountains To Be Moved"