PRINTER'S NO. 1620
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE RESOLUTION
No.
287
Session of
2024
INTRODUCED BY BROOKS, LANGERHOLC, HAYWOOD, MARTIN, PHILLIPS-
HILL, ROTHMAN, COLLETT, COMITTA, BROWN, COSTA, SANTARSIERO,
DILLON, CAPPELLETTI, KANE, SCHWANK, J. WARD, MASTRIANO,
CULVER AND MILLER, MAY 17, 2024
REFERRED TO RULES AND EXECUTIVE NOMINATIONS, MAY 17, 2024
A RESOLUTION
Designating the month of May 2024 as "Lyme Disease and Tick-
Borne Illness Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, Lyme disease is a bacterial infection caused by the
spirochete borrelia burgdorferi and is transmitted to humans
through the bite of an infected ixodes scapularis tick, also
known as a blacklegged tick or deer tick; and
WHEREAS, Lyme disease and tick-borne illnesses such as
babesiosis, bartonellosis, anaplasmosis, Rocky Mountain spotted
fever, ehrlichiosis and others pose a serious threat to the
health and quality of life of many residents of this
Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, Early stage symptoms of Lyme disease can include
erythema migrans (red, oval or round rash), fever, chills,
headache, muscle and joint pain and swollen lymph nodes; and
WHEREAS, Later stage symptoms of Lyme disease can include
severe headaches and neck stiffness, additional erythema
migrans, arthritis with severe joint pain and swelling,
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particularly in the knees and other large joints, facial palsy,
intermittent pain in tendons, muscles, joints and bones, heart
palpitations or an irregular heartbeat, episodes of dizziness or
shortness of breath, inflammation of the brain and spinal cord,
nerve pain, shooting pains, numbness or tingling in the hands or
feet and problems with short-term memory; and
WHEREAS, According to the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, Lyme disease is the most common vector-borne disease
in the United States; and
WHEREAS, Lyme disease is one of the most common reportable
infectious diseases in this Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, In 2022, 8,413 Lyme disease cases were reported in
this Commonwealth, but the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention estimate underreporting by a factor of 10 and project
occurrence rates, more accurately, near 85,000; and
WHEREAS, From 1990 to 2022, there were 150,677 confirmed Lyme
disease cases in this Commonwealth, but due to the fact that the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's number only
represents confirmed cases, the actual number of Lyme disease
cases may be far greater, possibly more than 1.5 million; and
WHEREAS, Approximately 20% of Lyme disease cases will cause
long-term chronic symptoms, potentially affecting 300,000 people
in this Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, Approximately one in four cases of Lyme disease
occur in children, and children five to nine years of age are at
the greatest risk for contracting Lyme disease; and
WHEREAS, The blacklegged tick has been found in all 67
counties in this Commonwealth, verifying that every resident
from Erie to Philadelphia must take precautions to prevent the
spread of Lyme disease and tick-borne illnesses; and
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WHEREAS, In 2022, 54.9% of ticks tested in this Commonwealth
were infected with at least one tick-borne pathogen, including
Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, babesiosis, hard tick-borne
relapsing fever and Powassan virus; and
WHEREAS, Residents of this Commonwealth can greatly reduce
their chance of tick bites and pathogen transmission during the
spring season by taking proper precautions while engaged in
outdoor activities, making frequent tick checks and removing and
disposing of ticks promptly and properly; and
WHEREAS, The Tick Research Lab of Pennsylvania, an East
Stroudsburg University-affiliated lab, is dedicated to providing
free, fast, highly rated laboratory-quality tick testing to
residents of this Commonwealth for Lyme disease, anaplasmosis,
babesiosis, ehrlichiosis and Rocky Mountain spotted fever; and
WHEREAS, Residents of this Commonwealth should be aware of
early, disseminated and late and/or persistent symptoms, and
that a negative Lyme disease test cannot rule out Lyme disease;
and
WHEREAS, The early clinical diagnosis and appropriate
treatment of these tick-borne diseases and illnesses 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 an individual's life; and
WHEREAS, "Lyme Disease and Tick-Borne Illness Awareness
Month" provides an opportunity to focus on these significant and
complex diseases, through dissemination of information on
prevention and personal protection, raising public awareness of
the causes, effects, potential severity, diagnostic challenges
and treatment options of Lyme disease and underscoring important
education efforts surrounding Lyme disease and other tick-borne
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illnesses; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate designate the month of May 2024 as
"Lyme Disease and Tick-Borne Illness Awareness Month" in
Pennsylvania; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Senate continue efforts to benefit the
overall health and quality of life of the residents of this
Commonwealth by increasing awareness of the threat of tick bites
and the potential seriousness of Lyme disease and other tick-
borne illnesses.
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