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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, The Texas House of Representatives is committed to |
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supporting initiatives that safeguard the health of our state's |
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residents, and in that spirit, the members of this chamber are |
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promoting greater awareness of Lyme disease, which is a significant |
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threat that can cause a range of serious symptoms and long-term |
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health problems; and |
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WHEREAS, Often transmitted to humans by the bite of infected |
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blacklegged ticks and sometimes by fleas or other insects, Lyme |
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disease is the most frequently diagnosed tick-borne or insect-borne |
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infection in the nation; though often associated with eastern parts |
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of the United States and California, the disease has been present in |
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the Lone Star State since at least the mid-1980s and may have |
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afflicted as many as 20,000 Texans; and |
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WHEREAS, Symptoms of Lyme disease often begin with flu-like |
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ailments, including fatigue, headache, fever and chills, joint |
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pain, backache, sore throat, and nausea; these may be accompanied |
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by a skin rash or a red area around the insect bite that may expand |
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or take on a ring-like appearance; and |
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WHEREAS, If left untreated, Lyme disease can impact the heart |
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and nervous system, causing irregular heartbeat, headaches, sleep |
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disturbances, emotional instability, vision problems, and many |
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other ailments; in stage three of the disease, victims may |
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experience temporary or chronic arthritis and neurological |
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abnormalities; and |
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WHEREAS, By recognizing the symptoms, individuals can seek |
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medical assistance early on, when antibiotic treatment is most |
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effective; but the best way to stop Lyme disease is to avoid it; |
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Texans can reduce their chances of being infected by taking |
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precautions such as using insect repellent during outdoor |
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activities, by wearing long pants and tucking them into boots or |
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socks, and by keeping their pets free of ticks and fleas; and |
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WHEREAS, Education may be the most important defense against |
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Lyme disease, and the residents of the Lone Star State are |
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encouraged to learn more about this dangerous infection and the |
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best ways to treat and prevent it; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas |
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Legislature hereby promote greater public awareness of Lyme disease |
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and urge all Texans to become better informed about its dangers and |
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symptoms. |