Bill Text: PA SR319 | 2009-2010 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Designating the month of May 2010 as "Lyme Disease Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania.

Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Passed) 2010-04-21 - Introduced and adopted [SR319 Detail]

Download: Pennsylvania-2009-SR319-Introduced.html

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PRINTER'S NO. 1892
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE RESOLUTION
No. 319 Session of2010
INTRODUCED BY GREENLEAF, STACK, MUSTO, ORIE, STOUT, O'PAKE, WASHINGTON, RAFFERTY, ARGALL, KITCHEN, FONTANA, LOGAN, FERLO, PIPPY, PILEGGI, DINNIMAN, ALLOWAY, TARTAGLIONE, BAKER, GORDNER, ERICKSON, KASUNIC, WAUGH, EARLL, SMUCKER AND BRUBAKER, APRIL 21, 2010
INTRODUCED AND ADOPTED, APRIL 21, 2010
A RESOLUTION
Designating the month of May 2010 as "Lyme Disease Awareness
Month" in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, Lyme disease is a bacterial infection transmitted
primarily by ticks and is caused by the spirochete Borrelia
burgdorferi; and
WHEREAS, Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases and
disorders, such as babesiosis, bartonella and ehrlichiosis, pose
a serious threat to the quality of life of many Pennsylvanians,
with the frequency of diagnosed and reported Lyme disease cases
increasing dramatically over the past several years; and
WHEREAS, The most recent 15-year surveillance study of the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which study
was published in 2008, reveals continued emergence and
geographic expansion of Lyme disease across the United States;
and
WHEREAS, The CDC study reports a disproportionate increase
among children and recommends a Public Health Action to call for
an increase in targeted prevention strategies, tick avoidance,
early disease recognition and early treatment interventions; and
WHEREAS, In the United States from 2006 to 2008, there was a
77% increase in total reported cases of Lyme disease; and
WHEREAS, Pennsylvania posted a 113% increase in reported
cases in 2009 from the previous year; and
WHEREAS, During 2009, Pennsylvania ranked first in the nation
with 8,087 reported cases of Lyme disease, making up 27% of all
reported cases in the United States; and
WHEREAS, The most common way to acquire Lyme disease is to be
bitten by a tick that carries the spirochete; and
WHEREAS, This disease is not limited to age or ethnic
boundaries; and
WHEREAS, Lyme disease can cause early symptoms, including a
rash or flu-like symptoms such as fever, muscle aches, headaches
and fatigue, that can easily be misdiagnosed; and
WHEREAS, If not caught early, Lyme disease can lead to
chronic debilitating illness that is very difficult to
eradicate; and
WHEREAS, The prevention of Lyme disease and other tick-borne
disorders is difficult; and
WHEREAS, The people of this Commonwealth can greatly reduce
their chance of tick pathogen transmission if they take proper
caution while engaged in outdoor activities from early spring
through late fall, as well as during a warmer winter season,
make frequent tick checks and remove and dispose of ticks
promptly and properly; and
WHEREAS, The early clinical diagnosis and appropriate
treatment of these tick-borne disorders and diseases can greatly
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reduce the risks of continued, diverse and chronic symptoms that
can affect every system and organ of the human body and often
every aspect of persons' lives; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate designate the month of May 2010 as
"Lyme Disease Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania in a continued
effort to benefit the overall health and quality of life of the
citizens of this Commonwealth by increasing their awareness of
the threat of infected tick bites and the potential seriousness
of Lyme disease and other tick-borne disorders.
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