SCR 4 – FINAL VERSION

03/10/05 0443s

2005 SESSION

05-1037

01/09

SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 4

A RESOLUTION supporting federal funding for Lyme disease research.

SPONSORS: Sen. Kenney, Dist 3

COMMITTEE: Health and Human Services

ANALYSIS

This senate concurrent resolution supports federal funding for Lyme disease research.

03/10/05 0443s

05-1037

01/09

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Five

A RESOLUTION supporting federal funding for Lyme disease research.

Whereas, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Lyme disease is probably the most common tick-borne bacterial disease in the world, and in the United States, it accounts for more than 90 percent of all reported cases of vector-borne illness; and

Whereas, New Hampshire ranked 12th nationwide in total reported cases to the CDC in 2003; and

Whereas, the number of reported cases in 2004 in New Hampshire has grown substantially from the 2003 reported numbers; and

Whereas, the tick populations are spreading northward with the primary carrier being the deer tick; and

Whereas, the lack of early detection of Lyme disease may result in unrecognized illness and persistent symptoms of Lyme disease infection; and

Whereas, further research and health care provider education about Lyme disease laboratory testing is needed; and

Whereas, the issue of co-infections is clouding the diagnostic picture with babesiosis, ehrlichiosis, anaplasmosis, Bartonella, RMSF, tularemia, tick paralysis, and other infections possibly being transmitted by the bite of the same ticks that transmit Lyme disease and Lyme-like diseases; and

Whereas, the educational awareness of this disease, insurance coverage, and research funding need more attention in New Hampshire; and

Whereas, government officials need to understand the complexities of this disease, develop good sound policy to draw attention to Lyme disease, and stop the spread of Lyme disease in the state of New Hampshire; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring:

That the general court of New Hampshire strongly supports more federal funding for Lyme disease research; and

That the general court will continue to educate the public and physicians about this disease through the New Hampshire department of health and human services and other appropriate state agencies; and

That copies of this resolution signed by the president of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives shall be sent by the senate clerk to the President of the United States, the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and to each member of the New Hampshire congressional delegation.

Approved: May 9, 2005