I plan to introduce a Resolution designating May 2025 as “Lyme Disease and Tick-Borne Illness Awareness Month” in Pennsylvania.  This is a chance for Lyme patients, activists and educators to spread information on how to prevent Lyme and tick-borne diseases.
 
In 2024, the Pennsylvania Department of Health recorded 15,793 lab-confirmed cases of Lyme disease.  Research from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) suggests these numbers are under-counted by a factor of 10, meaning as many as 157,000 cases of Lyme disease may have occurred in Pennsylvania in 2024.  Approximately one in four cases of Lyme disease occurred in children, and children ages 5 to 9 are at the greatest risk for contracting Lyme.

According to the CDC, Lyme disease is the most common vector-borne disease in the United States.  Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, and is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected blacklegged ticks.  Typical symptoms include fever, headache, fatigue, and a characteristic rash called erythema migrans.  If left untreated, infection can spread to joints, the heart, and the nervous system.  The ticks that transmit Lyme disease can occasionally transmit other tickborne diseases as well.
 
By increasing awareness, it is hoped that cases of Lyme can be treated early, before symptoms worsen in severity.  I hope you will consider joining me as a co-sponsor designating May 2025 as “Lyme Disease and Tick-Borne Illness Awareness Month” in Pennsylvania as a continued effort to benefit the overall health and quality of life of the residents of Pennsylvania.  Thank you.

Cosponsors of the 2024 "Lyme Disease and Tick-Borne Illness Awareness Month" Resolution included Senators Langerholc, Haywood, Martin, Phillips-Hill, Rothman, Collett, Comitta, Brown, Costa, Santarsiero, Dillon, Cappelletti, Kane, Schwank, J. Ward, Mastriano, Culver and Miller.