[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 54 (Tuesday, May 5, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E764]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  THE LYME DISEASE INITIATIVE OF 1998

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. MICHAEL PAPPAS

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 5, 1998

  Mr. PAPPAS. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to join Mr. Chris Smith in 
sponsoring ``The Lyme Disease Initiative of 1998.''
  In my home state of New Jersey, Lyme disease has increased over 30% 
since 1996. As you may know, Lyme disease is an illness that results 
from a bite from an infected deer tick. Those infected with Lyme 
disease experience symptoms ranging from the flu to debilitating 
arthritis. First identified in Lyme, Connecticut almost two decades 
ago, there have roughly been 82,000 cases of Lyme disease reported in 
48 states. Between 1995 and 1996 alone, the United States experienced a 
13% increase nation wide in this disease. The ticks that carry Lyme, 
which are about the size of a poppy seed, feed at this time of year.
  The State of New Jersey currently ranks third in the nation in cases 
of reported Lyme disease. According to statistics compiled by the 
Centers for Disease Control of counties in the United States, four of 
the five counties in the twelfth Congressional District of New Jersey 
are in the top seventy in terms of reported cases per 100,000 people.
  The ``Lyme Disease Initiative of 1998'' will help to define and solve 
the growing epidemic of Lyme Disease in the United States. By creating 
a Lyme Disease Task Force, the accurate diagnosis of Lyme disease will 
be encouraged, more cases will be reported and better treatments will 
be proposed. Additionally, this legislation authorizes additional 
funding for Lyme research through the National Institute of Health, the 
Centers for Disease Control and the Department of Defense.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to join my colleague Mr. Smith in presenting 
this bill to the United States House of Representatives. I believe it 
is an important step in battling the spread of Lyme Disease in our 
country.

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