2014 -- H 7641

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LC004602

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2014

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

RESPECTFULLY REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO DEVELOP A

LYME DISEASE AWARENESS PROGRAM

     Introduced By: Representatives Giarrusso, and Newberry

     Date Introduced: February 26, 2014

     Referred To: House read and passed

     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.

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LC004602

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