State Senator Hugh T. Farley (r, C, I – Schenectady) reported that he and his colleagues in the New York State Senate recognized May as Lyme Disease Awareness Month by passing legislation and a resolution to combat Lyme and tick-borne diseases in the state. The bill (S5803A) would require the Department of Health to design a Lyme and tick-borne disease prevention program to promote awareness of the disease and inform communities about the best prevention methods.

Lyme Disease can severely impact a person’s quality of life, particularly if the disease goes undetected for an extended period of time. As Lyme disease cases continue to grow, efforts are ongoing to identify methods to prevent exposure. The educational awareness program this bill creates would include: prevention methods - including the safe use of recommended insect repellents; best practices for tick removal; recommendations for the reduction of exposure to ticks; and the appropriate course of action once a tick is removed.

The bill has been sent to the Assembly.

Senator Farley also has a brochure that highlights Lyme Disease prevention and detection. To obtain a copy, email Farley@nysenate.gov or call his office at 455-2181 (Albany), 885-1829 (Ballston Spa), 762-3733 (Johnstown), or toll-free at (800) 224-5201.