093_HR0236
LRB093 11448 KEF 14733 r
1 HOUSE RESOLUTION
2 WHEREAS, Lyme Disease is the most common tick borne and
3 vector borne disease in the United States; and
4 WHEREAS, Lyme Disease is primarily spread by the bite of
5 several types of ticks infected with the bacterium Borrelia
6 burgdorferi, and disease-transmitting ticks can be found
7 across the country, including Illinois, in woods, parks,
8 beaches, and yards; Lyme Disease can also be carried into new
9 areas by a wide variety of animals and birds; and
10 WHEREAS, The early indicators of infection are flu-like
11 symptoms and/or an enlarged rash, which may not appear or may
12 be missed, allowing the disease to disseminate and cause
13 serious, permanent and sometimes life threatening damage to
14 the brain, joints, heart, eyes, liver, spleen, blood vessels,
15 and kidneys; and
16 WHEREAS, The bacterium can cross the placenta and infect
17 a developing fetus; and
18 WHEREAS, Lyme Disease is difficult to diagnose because it
19 imitates other conditions and there is no reliable test that
20 can prove who is infected or who is bacteria free, which
21 often leads to misdiagnosis; and
22 WHEREAS, Lyme Disease is most easily treated when
23 diagnosed early and is more difficult to treat if discovered
24 after dissemination occurs, making early detection and
25 treatment more important; and
26 WHEREAS, The best solution to the threat of Lyme Disease
27 is educating people about the seriousness, prevention, and
28 early detection of all tick borne diseases as well as showing
29 more compassion towards patients and their families; and
30 WHEREAS, People still need to practice personal
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1 protection techniques to prevent other tick transmitted
2 diseases such as Ehrlichiosis, Babesiosis, Tulameria, Rocky
3 Mountain Spotted Fever, Tick Paralysis, Colorado Tick Fever,
4 and Relapsing Fever; and
5 WHEREAS, Lyme Disease victims, families and friends are
6 demonstrating their support for a cure in the first National
7 "Walk Against Lyme Disease" to be held on May 17, 2003 in New
8 Lenox, Illinois; therefore, be it
9 RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
10 NINETY-THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
11 we proclaim May 2003 as Lyme Disease Awareness Month in
12 Illinois.