Brown Reminds Residents of Lyme Disease Awareness Month in Pennsylvania by Sponsoring House Resolution
HARRISBURG – As Pennsylvania leads the country in reported Lyme disease cases, Rep. Rosemary M. Brown (R-Monroe/Pike) is sponsoring House Resolution 941, which designates May as Lyme Disease Awareness Month in the Commonwealth. Lyme disease is a bacterial infection transmitted primarily by ticks and is caused by the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi.
“It is extremely important that people understand prevention methods, as well as what to do if they find a tick on them, to best prevent long-term health problems associated with Lyme disease or other tick-borne illnesses,” Brown said. “I will continue to be a strong advocate for individuals and families who are affected by Lyme and these illnesses. I believe more needs to be done to help create policies that work toward a much earlier and accurate diagnosis, research and education for our medical community and overall tick surveillance and clinical data.”
In addition to House Resolution 941, Brown has sponsored a legislative package, including three pieces, to help prevent the spread of Lyme disease in Pennsylvania. They are listed as follows:
- House Bill 2288, which would require school nurses to remove a tick when it is found on a child during the school day, notify the parent or guardian with medical information and resources, and store the tick for seven days.
- House Bill 2301, which would require physicians to complete two hours of continuing medical education focused on Lyme disease and related tick-borne illnesses to help physicians receive the most up-to-date information on pathogens, testing parameters, patient symptom profiles and current treatment options.
- House Resolution 761, which would urge the federal government to dedicate a large portion of the $22 million it provides to states for Lyme disease financing to Pennsylvania.
Brown also sponsored
House Resolution 627, which passed the House on Dec. 11, 2017, and recognizes East Stroudsburg University’s Northeast Wildlife DNA Laboratory for its research in Lyme and tick-borne illnesses, one of the leading tick-testing laboratories in the U.S.
In 2016, Pennsylvania reported 12,200 cases of Lyme disease, which translates to 122,000 new cases, and about 40 percent of the nation’s cases in Pennsylvania alone. A Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection study was published confirming a high risk of Lyme disease in every county of the Commonwealth verifying that every Pennsylvanian, from Philadelphia to Erie, must take precautions to prevent the spread of Lyme disease.
For information about any state-related issue, contact Brown’s district office in East Stroudsburg located at
143 Seven Bridge Road, by calling 570-420-8301. Information can also be found on online at
RepBrown.com or
Facebook.com/RepRosemaryBrown.
Representative Rosemary M. Brown
189th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Krisinda Corbin
717.705.2032
KCorbin@pahousegop.com
RepBrown.com /
Facebook.com/RepRosemaryBrown