WHEREAS, Lyme disease is an infectious disease caused by spirochetal bacteria called Borrelia carried by ticks; and

WHEREAS, Lyme disease affects the brain, heart, joints, and other body organs and mimics many other diseases. Patients are often misdiagnosed with more familiar conditions including depression, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic fatigue, fibro-myalgia, multiple sclerosis, or psychiatric illness; and

WHEREAS, It is believed that almost 800 Rhode Islanders a year become infected with Lyme disease, and that this number is steadily growing; and

WHEREAS, The best solution to reduce the risk of contracting Lyme disease is awareness and education about the seriousness of this illness; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations hereby respectfully requests the Director of the Department of Health to develop a Lyme disease awareness program that will more fully educate the public on the origin, effects, appropriate treatment, and methods of preventing Lyme disease; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to the Director of the Rhode Island Department of Health.