Senator Linares Supports Bill for Lyme Disease Awareness

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State Senator Arthur Linares (R-33) submitted testimony to the legislature’s Government Administration and Elections Committee in support of a bill to help raise awareness of Lyme disease, its prevention, and diagnoses.

SB 1002, An Act Designating Various Days, Weeks, Months And State Symbols And Naming A State Office Complex, contains a number of provisions, including the requirement that the Governor designate the month of May as Lyme Disease Awareness Month.

“Having a state proclamation naming May as Lyme Disease Awareness Month will add to the efforts in Connecticut to educate our residents about what can be a devastating disease. May is the perfect time because that is when many people venture out into some of Connecticut’s most beautiful parks and nature preserves where they may come in contact with Lyme Disease,” Sen. Linares said.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that about 300,000 people in the US are diagnosed with Lyme disease every year, he said.

 “This is a disease that afflicts people of all ages and genders and can cause a variety of ailments,” Sen. Linares said. “Some of these are debilitating and significantly impact an individual’s ability to work and their quality of life. Those that develop chronic Lyme disease can face a lifetime of illness, chronic fatigue, migraines, and even cardiac issues.”

Sen. Linares said one of the most effective ways to combat the spread of Lyme disease is through education. Also, since not everyone develops the classic red ring around the Lyme tick bite, educating the public about the variety of symptoms may help with early diagnosis, which can be crucial in treating and potentially preventing the development of chronic Lyme disease.

Sen. Linares represents the communities of Chester, Clinton, Colchester, Deep River, East Haddam, East Hampton, Essex, Haddam, Lyme, Old Saybrook, Portland and Westbrook.