A proclamation: Lyme and Tick-Borne Disease Awareness Month, Apr. 15, 2013

BY THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF GEORGIA

A PROCLAMAT ION

LYME AND TICK-BORNE DISEASE

AWARENESS MONTH

WHEREAS:

Lyme disease is an infectious d isease, caused by spirochetal bacteria cal led Bo rrelia burgdo rferi. Scientists have identified more strains and species of Borrelia burgdorferi in the Southeastern Unit ed States than in any other region of the country, thus, true risk to humans in the Southeast is unknown . The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has consistently cautioned medical professionals and citizens that the CDC's case definition used to report Lyme disease should not be used for clin ical diagnos is, as many pat ients may not meet reporting criteria yet may still be infected. Lyme borrelisos is and other tick-borne diseases are serious ly under- reported across t he nation; and

WHEREAS :

Ticks , the vect or of Lyme disease , are carried by m ice , rabbits , squirrels, deer, birds, and other an imals; and

WHEREAS :

Improper methods of removing embedded t icks are dangerous and can increase the risk of acqu iring the infection . Ti cks can be so small and hard to detect that many people who cont ract Lyme disease do not recall being bitten . Prompt treatment with adequate antibiotic therapy in early stage infection may cure Lyme disease , thereby preventing permanent damage and complications of progressive Lyme disease . If therapy is delayed, Lyme disease may become more difficult to treat. In some cases, untreated or inadequately treated Lyme disease can lead to death. Lack of early recognition, diagnosis , and treatment can result in permanent physical damz.ge, therefore many Lyme patients are left disabled; and

WHEREAS:

Lyme disease can affect the brain, heart, joints , and other body organs , and mimics many other diseases. Some patients do not develop t he characteristic rash and symptoms may not appear for months to years f ollowing initial infection. Patients are often misdiagnosed with more fam iliar conditions including r heumato id arthrit is, chronic fatigue , fibromyalg ia, mu ltip le sclerosis , Amyotrophic lateral scleros is, depress io n , or psychiatric illness; and

WHEREAS:

The science surrounding Lyme and tick- borne diseases is unclear and emerging, and testing may be inaccurate. With over a dozen tick-borne diseases now recognized in the Southeastern United States , citizens and medical providers are encouraged to t ake all symptoms following tick bites seriously; now

THEREFORE:

I, NATHAN DEAL, Governor of the State of Georg ia, do hereby proclaim May 20 13, as LYME AND TICK-BORNE DISEASE AWARENESS MONTH in Georgia and encourage our citizens to become better educated about this illness and how they can protect themselves from infection .

In w it ness thereof , I have hereunto set my hand and cause d the Seal of the Executive Department to be affixed th is l 51h day of April in the year of ou r Lord two thousand th irtee n.

ArrEST

GOV ~RNO R

CHIEF Of STAfF