PRINTER'S NO. 776

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

SENATE RESOLUTION

No.

82

Session of

2015

INTRODUCED BY GREENLEAF, WILEY, BAKER, HAYWOOD, TEPLITZ, ARGALL,

SCARNATI, DINNIMAN AND VULAKOVICH, APRIL 20, 2015

INTRODUCED AND ADOPTED, APRIL 20, 2015

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

Americans are diagnosed with Lyme disease each year. This is

approximately ten times higher than the number of cases

previously reported to the CDC every year; and

WHEREAS, In 2009, 2011, 2012 and 2013, Pennsylvania ranked

highest in the country in the number of confirmed cases of Lyme

disease; and

WHEREAS, From 2002 to 2012, Pennsylvania reported a total of

46,178 confirmed cases of Lyme disease; and

WHEREAS, The most common way to acquire Lyme and related

diseases is to be bitten by a tick that carries the spirochete;

and

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, and

make frequent tick checks and remove and dispose of ticks

promptly and properly; and

WHEREAS, The schools of this Commonwealth can greatly reduce

the risk of Lyme and related diseases among schoolchildren

through prevention education and precautions, including

instruction to parents regarding steps to take in advance and

after school-related activities, such as field trips and sports;

and

WHEREAS, The people of this Commonwealth should be aware of

early, disseminated and late/persistent symptoms; and

WHEREAS, The people of this Commonwealth should be aware that

a negative Lyme test cannot rule out Lyme disease; and

WHEREAS, The early clinical diagnosis and appropriate

effort to benefit the overall health and quality of life of the

residents 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.