Delaware SCR 58: DESIGNATING THE MONTH OF MAY 2023 AS "LYME DISEASE AWARENESS MONTH" IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE.

Bill Text

SR : AD : LD
5841520013
Page 1 of 2 Released: 05/11/2023 01:54 PM
SPONSOR: Sen. Pettyjohn & Rep. Schwartzkopf
Sens. Gay, Hansen, Hocker, Hoffner, Huxtable, Lawson,
Mantzavinos, S. McBride, Sokola, Townsend, Walsh,
Wilson; Reps. Baumbach, Briggs King, Collins, Dukes,
Gray, Hensley, Hilovsky, K. Johnson, Longhurst,
Morrison, Parker Selby, Ramone, D. Short,
Michael Smith, Spiegelman, Yearick
DELAWARE STATE SENATE
152nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 58
DESIGNATING THE MONTH OF MAY 2023 AS "LYME DISEASE AWARENESS MONTH" IN THE STATE OF
DELAWARE.
1 WHEREAS, Lyme disease is a bacterial infection caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi; and
2 WHEREAS, Lyme disease can result in severe and lasting effects in human beings, including neurological impacts
3 and joint disease; and
4 WHEREAS, Lyme disease is most commonly transmitted through the bite of a deer tick (lcodes scapularis), and
5 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
6 disease; and
7 WHEREAS, some patients treated for Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases will experience lingering
8 symptoms such as fatigue, pain, and impaired cognitive function that may persist for months or years after treatment; and
9 WHEREAS, Delaware is in the top 10 for the highest incidence rate of Lyme disease per 100,000 people in the
10 United States; and
11 WHEREAS, the climate of Delaware makes for an ideal environment for the bacterium-carrying deer tick; and
12 WHEREAS, Delaware, as a state with a high incidence of Lyme disease, has a responsibility to the growing
13 number of Delawareans who have had, or know an individual who has had, this disease to combat it and manage its
14 pervasiveness; and
15 WHEREAS, Delaware is one of the few states that is dedicated to investigating each possible case of Lyme
16 disease reported to the Bureau of Epidemiology; and
17 WHEREAS, May has been recognized as National Lyme Disease Awareness Month.
18 NOW, THEREFORE:
19 BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the 152nd General Assembly of the State of Delaware, the House of
20 Representatives concurring therein, that the Legislature affirms the importance of Lyme disease awareness and prevention,
21 and hereby designates May 2023 as “Lyme Disease Awareness Month” in the State of Delaware.

SR : AD : LD
5841520013
Page 2 of 2 Released: 05/11/2023 01:54 PM
SYNOPSIS
This Senate Concurrent Resolution designates the month of May 2023 as "Lyme Disease Awareness Month" in the
State of Delaware.
Author: Senator Pettyjohn