Bill > HR4980

This bill establishes a comprehensive national vector-borne disease prevention system managed by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, with six key components designed to combat tick-borne diseases like Lyme disease. The system includes a professional vector identification service that provides information about disease-carrying insects like ticks, mosquitoes, and fleas, accessible to both civilians and the Department of Defense, and utilizing a "One Health" approach that integrates human, animal, and environmental data. An artificial intelligence-enhanced early warning system will predict disease activity using weather, habitat, and wildlife data, delivering real-time location-based risk alerts. The system will also implement insurance claims surveillance to detect disease outbreaks, monitor emergency room visits for vector-related symptoms, and develop comprehensive public education initiatives that deliver targeted prevention messaging through schools, workplaces, media, and community organizations. A strategic national alignment goal is to reduce Lyme disease by 25 percent by 2035 while simultaneously enhancing military readiness through early detection and ecosystem health monitoring. The bill, known as the BITE Act (Battling Infections Transmitted by Ticks and Exposure Act), represents a multi-faceted approach to preventing and managing vector-borne diseases.

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https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/4980/all-info