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