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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2017 - 2018
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | May 15, 2017 03:56 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Angel Cruz |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Resolution Designating June 2017 as “Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Awareness Month |
| I plan to introduce a resolution designating June 2017 as “Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Awareness Month” in Pennsylvania. Cytomegalovirus is a little known but common virus that infects people of all ages, with over half of all adults in the United States having been infected by age 40. Most people do not have symptoms when they are infected with CMV, and if they do, the symptoms are often mild. Once infected, CMV remains with a person for life. Because of its prevalence, CMV infection can occur while a woman is pregnant and the virus can potentially be passed to the baby, thus making CMV the most common congenital infection in the United States. About 1 in every 150 babies, or 30,000 total, are born with congenital CMV infection in the United States each year. Of these babies, more than 5,000 will develop permanent problems, such as hearing loss, which is the most common, vision loss, or developmental disabilities and an estimated 400 die due to the infection. This means that CMV causes more long-term health problems and childhood deaths than more well-known conditions, such as Down Syndrome, fetal alcohol syndrome and spina bifida. Cytomegalovirus is a serious public health issue. By joining me in co-sponsoring this resolution, you can help to increase awareness of the risks of CMV and how to prevent the spread of this disease. Thank you in advance for your consideration. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact my Harrisburg office at 717-705-1925. |
Introduced as HR354