Bill > J00735

This resolution memorializes Governor Kathy Hochul to officially proclaim April 2025 as Lyme Disease Awareness Month in New York State, highlighting the importance of raising public awareness about this complex tick-borne illness. The resolution provides context about Lyme disease, noting that it is caused by the Borrelia Burgdorferi bacterium and transmitted through deer tick bites, and is found in approximately 80 countries worldwide. It emphasizes the challenges of diagnosing the disease, including that the characteristic bull's-eye rash appears in only 20-30% of cases and symptoms can be mistaken for other conditions like mental illness or nutritional deficiencies. The resolution also underscores the significant impact of the disease, with the CDC estimating 476,000 people are diagnosed and treated annually, though only 89,000 cases were officially reported in 2023, with New York experiencing over 22,000 cases in the same year. By requesting the governor to designate a specific awareness month, the resolution aims to educate the public about Lyme disease's causes, effects, treatments, and ongoing research efforts, particularly as more people spend time outdoors during spring and summer when ticks are most active.

Budget and Finance

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/J735