Ayotte Renews Call for Increased Efforts to Combat Lyme Disease

Press Release

With the City of Manchester and local partners having designated this week as "Tick Awareness Week", U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.) today renewed her call for Congress to support local efforts to boost public awareness of tick-borne diseases.

"In 2013, New Hampshire had the second highest incidence rate of Lyme disease in the country, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Especially during the summer months, families in Manchester and across the Granite State must be vigilant about protecting themselves from Lyme and tick-borne diseases, which are dangerous if untreated. I commend Mayor Gatsas for bringing awareness to this problem, and I will continue to push bipartisan legislation I helped introduce that would improve prevention and treatment methods related to these public health threats."

"I am grateful for Senator Ayotte's efforts at the federal level to bring awareness to the dangers of Lyme disease and tick-borne illnesses, and will continue to work to ensure that all Manchester families are protected from the potentially dangerous effects of illnesses like these," said Manchester Mayor Ted Gatsas.

In June, Senator Ayotte introduced bipartisan legislation with Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn) to increase public awareness and strengthen efforts to combat tick-borne diseases. The Lyme and Tick-Borne Disease Prevention, Education, and Research Act of 2015 would help ensure the necessary resources are dedicated to fighting tick-borne diseases.

The bill would create a Tick-Borne Diseases Committee comprised of physicians, scientific experts, patients, and Lyme advocates to focus on improving reporting methods, developing better diagnostic tools, ensuring better coordination of efforts, and working to improve prevention and treatment methods related to Lyme and other tick-borne diseases.

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