This petition asks the federal government to create a national strategy for rare brain disorders in children triggered by infections, fund research, and require medical training on these conditions.

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 theHouse of Commons in Parliament assembledto: 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).