[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 164 (Monday, August 24, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Page 52141]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-18519]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES


Meeting of the Tick-Borne Disease Working Group

AGENCY: Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health, Office of the 
Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: As required by the Federal Advisory Committee Act, the 
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is hereby giving notice 
that the Tick-Borne Disease Working Group (TBDWG) will hold a virtual 
meeting. The meeting will be open to the public. For this meeting, the 
TBDWG will review the draft 2020 report to the HHS Secretary and 
Congress and review and approve graphics and images for the report. The 
2020 report will address ongoing tick-borne disease research, including 
research related to causes, prevention, treatment, surveillance, 
diagnosis, diagnostics, and interventions for individuals with tick-
borne diseases; advances made pursuant to such research; federal 
activities related to tick-borne diseases; and gaps in tick-borne 
disease research.

DATES: The meeting will be held online via webcast on September 15, 
2020 and September 22, 2020 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. ET both days 
(times are tentative and subject to change). The confirmed times and 
agenda items for the meeting will be posted on the TBDWG web page at 
https://www.hhs.gov/ash/advisory-committees/tickbornedisease/meetings/2020-9-15/index.html when this information becomes available.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James Berger, Designated Federal 
Officer for the TBDWG; Office of Infectious Disease and HIV/AIDS 
Policy, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health, Department of 
Health and Human Services, Mary E. Switzer Building, 330 C Street SW, 
Suite L600, Washington, DC, 20024. Email: [email protected]; 
Phone: 202-795-7608.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The registration link will be posted on the 
website at https://www.hhs.gov/ash/advisory-committees/tickbornedisease/meetings/2020-9-15/index.html when it becomes 
available. After registering, you will receive an email confirmation 
with a personalized link to access the webcast on September 15, 2020 
and September 22, 2020
    The public will have an opportunity to present their views to the 
TBDWG orally during the meeting's public comment session or by 
submitting a written public comment. Comments should be pertinent to 
the meeting discussion. Persons who wish to provide verbal or written 
public comment should review instructions at https://www.hhs.gov/ash/advisory-committees/tickbornedisease/meetings/2020-9-15/index.html and 
respond by midnight September 4, 2020 ET. Verbal comments will be 
limited to three minutes each to accommodate as many speakers as 
possible during the 30 minute session. Written public comments will be 
accessible to the public on the TBDWG web page prior to the meeting.
    Background and Authority: The Tick-Borne Disease Working Group was 
established on August 10, 2017, in accordance with Section 2062 of the 
21st Century Cures Act, and the Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5 
U.S.C. App., as amended, to provide expertise and review federal 
efforts related to all tick-borne diseases, to help ensure interagency 
coordination and minimize overlap, and to examine research priorities. 
The TBDWG is required to submit a report to the HHS Secretary and 
Congress on their findings and any recommendations for the federal 
response to tick-borne disease every two years.

    Dated: August 12, 2020.
James J. Berger,
Designated Federal Officer, Tick-Borne Disease Working Group, Office of 
Infectious Disease and HIV/AIDS Policy.
[FR Doc. 2020-18519 Filed 8-21-20; 8:45 am]
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