National Strategy for Infection-Associated Disorders

AI summary

Petitioners say that infection-associated neuroinflammatory conditions, including PANS and PANDAS, can cause sudden severe neuropsychiatric deterioration in children and that early identification and treatment are critical to preventing long-term complications. They state families across Canada face care gaps and diagnostic delays and note the federal role in setting national standards and funding research. The petition asks the House of Commons to establish a national strategy, direct targeted CIHR research funding, and partner with Health Canada and professional bodies to fund and require accredited continuing medical education and training for health and educational professionals.

AI summaries describe petitioners’ requests and claims. Consult the official record for the full text.

Official petition

Petition to the House of Commons in Parliament assembled Infection-associated neuroinflammatory conditions, including Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS) and Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections (PANDAS), cause sudden, severe neuropsychiatric deterioration in children following common infections; PANS and PANDAS are treatable medical conditions; however, early identification and prompt medical intervention are critical to prevent long-term neurological complications, chronic disability, and severe symptom escalation; Families across Canada face major care gaps and diagnostic delays due to a critical lack of standardized education across medical, mental health, and educational systems; and While healthcare delivery is provincially managed, federal leadership sets national health standards, funds medical research, and drives cross-jurisdictional clinical frameworks. We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons in Parliament assembled to: 1. Establish a National Strategy for Infection-Associated Neuropsychiatric Disorders to support early identification, standardized care, and equitable access to treatment nationwide; 2. Direct targeted research funding through the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) for clinical trials, biomarker discovery, and early intervention protocols; and 3. Partner with Health Canada and professional bodies to fund and mandate accredited Continuing Medical Education (CME) and training modules on post-infectious neuroinflammation for medical specialists (pediatric neurologists, psychiatrists, immunologists, rheumatologists, infectious disease, emergency), primary and allied health providers (family physicians, pediatricians, psychologists, psychotherapists, social workers, OTs), and educational staff (school counselors and resource staff).

Government response

No government response is available yet.