SERINO WORKS TO MAINSTREAM LYME DISEASE AWARENESS

ALBANY, NY—Senator Sue Serino (R, C, I—Hyde Park), Chair of the Senate’s Task Force on Lyme and Tick-Borne Diseases (TBDs) announced today that her bill to create a public awareness program to combat these diseases has been signed into law by the Governor.

"Raising awareness is the single most important thing we can do to help stop the spread of Lyme and Tick-Borne Diseases,” said Serino who chairs the Senate's Taskforce on Lyme and TBDs. “In conducting forums and meeting with people on Lyme and TBDs, it is clear that there is a great deal of misinformation about the issue and the public should have accurate information from a trusted source. This bill is about mainstreaming this information and empowering the public by arming them with the facts they need to stay safe and healthy as they work and play outdoors.”

The bill (S. 5803A) would statutorily require the State Department of Health (DOH) to create a public prevention and awareness program that includes methods for effective prevention—the safe use of insect repellant, best practices for tick removal, methods for reducing exposure and what to do once the tick is removed.

The bill is sponsored in the Assembly by Assemblymember Didi Barrett and passed unanimously in both houses.

“There are issues that simply transcend politics and combating Lyme and TBDs is one of them,” Serino continued. “I thank the State Department of Health and my colleagues in both houses for recognizing the significance of this legislation and for working to ensure that it become law this year.”

The bill is slated to take effect immediately.

-30-