PRINTER'S NO. 857
No. 42 Session of 1989
INTRODUCED BY HOLL, APRIL 4, 1989
REFERRED TO PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE, APRIL 4, 1989
A RESOLUTION
1 Calling upon the Department of Health to implement a lyme
2 disease program.
3 WHEREAS, Lyme Disease is an ailment caused by a bite from an
4 Ixodes dammini tick, commonly referred to as a deer tick, which
5 can result in flu-like symptoms and chronic arthritic conditions
6 and can create permanent joint damage and muscle paralysis and
7 heart damage; and
8 WHEREAS, Lyme Disease has been increasing each year; and
9 WHEREAS, Early detection of Lyme Disease and preventative
10 measures (such as wearing protective clothing and using tick
11 repellent in outdoor areas, providing tick collars for pets, and
12 inspecting for the presence of deer ticks) leads to more
13 successful treatment; and
14 WHEREAS, Public knowledge of Lyme Disease and the deer tick
15 is limited, and summer months are the primary time periods for
16 the transmission of Lyme Disease; therefore be it
17 RESOLVED, That the Senate call upon the Department of Health
1 and the Game Commission to establish a lyme disease prevention
2 and information program, to include the following elements.
3 (1) The Department of Health shall:
4 (i) Gather information in order to:
5 (A) Target high risk areas for public education.
6 (B) Develop Statewide prevention strategies.
7 (C) Generate objective information required in
8 formulating policy regarding the reporting of Lyme
9 disease.
10 (D) Determine the Statewide distribution of
11 ticks which are known or suspected of transmitting
12 Lyme disease.
13 (E) Develop meaningful educational material for
14 physicians.
15 (ii) Develop ties with The Pennsylvania State
16 University.
17 (iii) Prepare brochures on Lyme disease and mail
18 them to health care professionals and all persons who
19 purchase hunting licenses.
20 (2) The Pennsylvania Game Commission shall establish
21 deer check stations to check deer kills and make random
22 checks on wild deer to ascertain whether they are carrying
23 ticks that are carriers of Lyme disease.
24 (3) The department, along with the commission, shall
25 promulgate rules and regulations necessary to carry out the
26 program.
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