THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

SENATE RESOLUTION

INTRODUCED BY GREENLEAF, BAKER, FERLO, STACK, PILEGGI, WILLIAMS, DINNIMAN, FONTANA, HUGHES, TARTAGLIONE, STOUT, KASUNIC, ERICKSON, RAFFERTY, WARD, KITCHEN, FARNESE, GORDNER, LOGAN, COSTA, ALLOWAY, ARGALL AND MUSTO, APRIL 29, 2009

INTRODUCED AND ADOPTED, APRIL 29, 2009  

A RESOLUTION

Designating the month of May 2009 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, In 2007, 27,444 cases of Lyme disease were reported

to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the

United States; and 

WHEREAS, Pennsylvania ranked second behind New York with

3,994 reported cases of Lyme disease that year; and 

WHEREAS, Approximately 20,000 new cases of Lyme disease are

reported each year to the CDC; 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

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 2009 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.