WASHINGTON, DC - In an effort to improve tests to diagnose and treat Lyme disease, and prevent individuals from contracting the disease in the first place, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) is calling for a greater federal focus on research, education, and outreach to individuals and families, and coordination among health professionals and government agencies.    Reed today joined with Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) in introducing the Lyme and Tick-Borne Disease Prevention, Education and Research Act of 2011. 

As summer gets into full swing, and Rhode Islanders spend more time outside, many don’t know how to effectively protect themselves against Lyme disease and are unaware of the risks and dangers of the disease, which was found in over 12,000 individuals in New England in 2009. 

“Lyme disease is a growing threat and the federal government should dedicate more attention to research, education, and prevention efforts,” said Reed.  “This legislation will educate more Americans about Lyme disease and ways to prevent it.  It will also better equip the medical community to diagnose and treat those who become infected and improve coordination to monitor the spread of tick-borne illnesses.”

Reed, a member of the Appropriations Committee, has secured over $1.3 million in federal funding to enable the University of Rhode Island (URI) to develop and implement tick-bite prevention education programs as well as a community-based tick control programs.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there were more than 38,000 cases of Lyme disease in 2009, and in the last decade the incidence of Lyme disease has increased by 84 percent.  Although Lyme disease can be treated with antibiotics if caught early, the disease often goes undetected because it mimics other illnesses or may be misdiagnosed, and many experts believe the true number of cases each year could be as much as ten or twelve times the reported number. 

Specifically, the Lyme and Tick-Borne Disease Prevention, Education, and Research Act would: 

Establish a Tick-Borne Disease Advisory Committee: The legislation would establish the Advisory Committee through the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) in order to streamline coordination between other federal agencies and private organizations addressing tick-borne illnesses. The Advisory Committee would be comprised of “stakeholder constituencies,” which would include doctors and researchers. 

Coordinate Increased Research and Development Around Lyme Disease: The legislation directs HHS, in coordination with the Advisory Committee, to develop more accurate and time-sensitive diagnostic tools to strengthen surveillance and reporting of Lyme and other tick-borne illnesses, which would help determine prevalence of various illnesses.  

Increase Education: The legislation would increase public education through the Community Based Education Programs at the Centers for Disease Control and create a physician-education program that includes the full spectrum of scientific research related to Lyme and other tick-borne disease.  

Report on Lyme Disease: The legislation requires the Secretary of HHS to publish a report at the end of each advisory term evaluating published guidelines and current research available on Lyme disease, in order to best educate health professionals on the latest research and diversity of treatment options. It further requires the Secretary of HHS to submit to Congress a report on the activities carried out under this act including a copy of the most recent annual report issued by the Tick-Borne Diseases Advisory Committee.  For detailed information on how to prevent tick bites, you can visit URI’s TickEncounter Resource Center.