SPONSOR:

Sen. Lopez & Rep. Schwartzkopf

DELAWARE STATE SENATE

150th GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 43

DESIGNATING THE WEEK OF MAY 19-25, 2019 AS "LYME DISEASE AWARENESS WEEK" IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE.

WHEREAS, Lyme disease is a bacterial infection caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi; and

WHEREAS, Lyme disease can result in severe and lasting effects in human beings, including neurological impacts and joint disease; and

WHEREAS, Lyme disease is most commonly transmitted through the bite of a deer tick (lcodes scapularis), and individuals may have the disease even if they do not have a red bull’s eye rash that is often identified as a marker for Lyme disease; and

WHEREAS, some patients treated for Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases will experience lingering symptoms such as fatigue, pain, and impaired cognitive function that may persist for months or years after treatment; and

WHEREAS, Delaware has one of the highest incidence rate of Lyme disease per 100,000 people in the United States; and

WHEREAS, the climate of Delaware makes for an ideal environment for the bacterium-carrying deer tick; and

WHEREAS, Delaware, as a state of high incidence of Lyme disease, has a responsibility to the growing number of Delawareans who have had, or know an individual who has had, this disease to combat it and manage its pervasiveness; and

WHEREAS, Delaware is one of the few states that is dedicated to investigating each possible case of Lyme disease reported to the Bureau of Epidemiology; and

WHEREAS, May has been recognized as National Lyme Disease Awareness Month.

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the 150th General Assembly of the State of Delaware, the House of Representatives concurring therein, that the Legislature affirms the importance of Lyme disease awareness and prevention, and hereby designates May 19-25, 2019 as “Lyme Disease Awareness Week” in the State of Delaware.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature encourages expanded efforts to keep Delaware residents properly informed about Lyme disease prevention, symptom recognition, and treatment.

SYNOPSIS

This concurrent resolution designates the week May 19-25, 2019 as "Lyme Disease Awareness Week" in Delaware.

Author: Senator Lopez