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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases are most |
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frequently diagnosed in the spring and summer months, and Texans |
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need to be aware of the dangers related to these debilitating and |
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potentially fatal illnesses; and |
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WHEREAS, In addition to Lyme disease, which is the most |
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prevalent, tick-transmitted illnesses include Rocky Mountain |
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spotted fever, ehrlichiosis, bartonellosis, babesiosis, and |
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tick-borne relapsing fever; in the State of Texas, the black-legged |
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deer tick, the Lone Star tick, and the brown dog tick are all known |
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carriers of these types of diseases; and |
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WHEREAS, If not properly diagnosed and treated soon after |
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infection occurs, any of these illnesses can become substantially |
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more difficult to treat and can lead to life-threatening |
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complications; and |
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WHEREAS, Lyme disease is the fastest-growing infectious |
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disease and the most common vector-borne illness in Texas, with |
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cases having been reported in every public health region in the |
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state; according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, |
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there are more than 300,000 cases of Lyme disease reported annually |
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in the United States; such figures may not give the full picture, |
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however, because Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses are |
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thought to be underreported due to a limited awareness among the |
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public and within medical circles of the serious nature of these |
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easily contracted diseases; and |
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WHEREAS, Greater public understanding is key to lessening the |
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threat of these diseases in our state, and the observance of Lyme |
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Disease Awareness Month in May will assist in promoting much-needed |
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education on this important health issue; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas |
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Legislature hereby recognize May 2017 as Lyme Disease Awareness |
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Month in the State of Texas and encourage residents to learn more |
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about Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses. |