HJ643: Lyme Disease Awareness Month; designating as May 2011, and each succeeding year thereafter.


HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 643
Designating May, in 2011 and in each succeeding year, as Lyme Disease Awareness Month in Virginia.

 

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, January 21, 2011
Agreed to by the Senate, February 22, 2011

 

WHEREAS, the health and well-being of the citizens of the Commonwealth of Virginia is of the utmost importance; and

WHEREAS, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Lyme disease is the most common rapidly emerging infectious disease not limited to age, ethnicity, or geographical area; and

WHEREAS, ticks transmitting Lyme disease can be found in woods, parks, beaches, and yards throughout Virginia and the United States; and

WHEREAS, increasing numbers of new cases of Lyme disease are reported every year in Virginia and across the United States, while numerous cases go unreported or undetected each year; and

WHEREAS, Lyme disease is transmitted by the bite of a tick infected with the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi, which often results in early symptoms such as bull?s-eye rash, fever, aching or stiff muscles and joints, headache, and fatigue; and

WHEREAS, as an illness caused by the painless bite of a tiny deer tick, Lyme disease causes serious problems involving the heart, joints, and nervous system in humans and animals; and

WHEREAS, Lyme disease is difficult to diagnose because it imitates other conditions and because there is no reliable test to determine infection; and

WHEREAS, detection of the disease is difficult because early symptoms vary and will disappear only to later reappear in a more serious and difficult to treat disseminated form; and

WHEREAS, checking for ticks and proper tick removal are imperative, and if done correctly and promptly, can aid in the prevention of the disease; and

WHEREAS, all Virginians should become educated and aware of the signs and symptoms, prevention tactics, and treatment of Lyme disease; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly designate May, in 2011 and in each succeeding year, as Lyme Disease Awareness Month in Virginia; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the General Assembly encourage all Virginians to observe Lyme Disease Awareness Month by learning about Lyme and other tick-borne diseases and how to protect themselves, their families, and their communities so they ?Don?t get sick from the bite of a tick?; and, be it

RESOLVED FINALLY, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates post the designation of this month on the General Assembly?s website.

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 643
Offered January 12, 2011
Prefiled January 12, 2011
Designating May, in 2011 and in each succeeding year, as Lyme Disease Awareness Month in Virginia.

Patrons-- Comstock, Rust, Albo, Bulova, Filler-Corn, Herring, LeMunyon, Plum, Scott, J.M., Sickles and Surovell; Senators: Barker, Howell, Marsden, Petersen, Puller, Saslaw and Whipple

Referred to Committee on Rules

WHEREAS, the health and well-being of the citizens of the Commonwealth of Virginia is of the utmost importance; and

WHEREAS, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Lyme disease is the most common rapidly emerging infectious disease not limited to age, ethnicity, or geographical area; and

WHEREAS, ticks transmitting Lyme disease can be found in woods, parks, beaches, and yards throughout Virginia and the United States; and

WHEREAS, increasing numbers of new cases of Lyme disease are reported every year in Virginia and across the United States, while numerous cases go unreported or undetected each year; and

WHEREAS, Lyme disease is transmitted by the bite of a tick infected with the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi, which often results in early symptoms such as bull?s-eye rash, fever, aching or stiff muscles and joints, headache, and fatigue; and

WHEREAS, as an illness caused by the painless bite of a tiny deer tick, Lyme disease causes serious problems involving the heart, joints, and nervous system in humans and animals; and

WHEREAS, Lyme disease is difficult to diagnose because it imitates other conditions and because there is no reliable test to determine infection; and

WHEREAS, detection of the disease is difficult because early symptoms vary and will disappear only to later reappear in a more serious and difficult to treat disseminated form; and

WHEREAS, checking for ticks and proper tick removal are imperative, and if done correctly and promptly, can aid in the prevention of the disease; and

WHEREAS, all Virginians should become educated and aware of the signs and symptoms, prevention tactics, and treatment of Lyme disease; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly designate May, in 2011 and in each succeeding year, as Lyme Disease Awareness Month in Virginia; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the General Assembly encourage all Virginians to observe Lyme Disease Awareness Month by learning about Lyme and other tick-borne diseases and how to protect themselves, their families, and their communities so they ?Don?t get sick from the bite of a tick?; and, be it

RESOLVED FINALLY, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates post the designation of this month on the General Assembly?s website.