Addressing Lyme And Tick-Borne Diseases

To date in 2014, more than 450 new cases of Lyme disease have been reported in New York alone, and the number is expected to continue rising each year as disease-laden ticks spread to more communities.

The New York State Senate Task Force on Lyme and Tick-Borne Diseases today released an important new report and action plan designed to enhance research, prevention, diagnosis and treatments for harmful tick-borne illnesses. 

The report’s recommendations focus on the need for: 

- additional research and data about past, current and future disease trends; 

- increased public awareness as the reach of the diseases spread to new communities; 

- implementation of preventive measures such as “4 Poster” devices and bait vaccines for animals to reduce the infected tick population; and 

- measures to enhance diagnosis and treatment for those who have the diseases.

This Action Plan – similar in purpose to one created by the state Department of Health in 2001 to address the West Nile Virus outbreak -- should serve as a comprehensive roadmap for the state to prevent additional illnesses by improving research, education, diagnosis and treatment.

Over the past nine months, our Task Force has worked closely with experts to chart a smart, effective course that the state can follow, and I am looking forward to building upon this progress in the days ahead.

To view the full report, click here.