LymeBlog - Texas Lyme Disease Activists Take Their Message to the State House

LymeBlog News
Lexington, KY USA
By LymeBlog News Staff

Members of the Austin, Texas Lyme disease support group have been hard at work getting attention drawn to the fact that May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month.

Their latest effort has resulted in an appearance in front of the Texas State House of Representatives in Austin tomorrow, May 11th.

Tomorrow morning State Representative Valinda Bolton (District 47) will speak about the prevalence of Lyme disease in the State of Texas. She will be informing the legislators about the difficulty Texans face getting diagnosis and treatment in the state.
Representative Bolton
Photo: Texas House of Representatives
They are asking that people who are interested in increasing awareness of Lyme disease in Texas join them at the Capitol tomorrow morning. They will be meeting at the Capitol steps at 9:30 AM and then will proceed to the gallery to be seated as a group. Following her speech Bolton will ask the group to stand and be recognized. Later members of the group will be able to visit with the State Representatives.

According to The Texas Lyme Disease Association, Inc., (www.txlda.org), Lyme disease is the most common vector-borne disease in the U.S. From 1994-2006, an average of 74 cases was reported annually in Texas. Many diagnosed cases are not reflected in official statistics due to restrictive reporting criteria. Lyme is largely unrecognized in Texas so it is often misdiagnosed by doctors who are not familiar with its clinical presentation.
If You Go

When: 9:30 AM, Friday, May 11, 2007

Where: The steps of the Texas State Capitol Building

Who: Those interested in increasing awareness of Lyme disease in Texas

Texans are at risk of Lyme disease both from native sources and those brought in by migrating birds and animals, as well as from travel to other endemic areas. Visitors to any undeveloped countryside are at considerable risk of being bitten by ticks that carry the Lyme disease bacteria. Ticks may also be picked up in high grass, on golf courses, school playgrounds, greenbelts, farms, ranches, and in private yards. Anyone who engages in outdoor pursuits may be exposed to Lyme disease and should take proper precautions. Additionally, pets can bring ticks into the home, placing household members at risk.

See The Texas Lyme Disease Association, Inc., (www.txlda.org) for more information on Lyme disease in Texas.

Note: Correction, May 12, 2007:
This article originally referenced The Texas Lyme Disease Association, Inc., (www.txlda.org) as sponsoring this event. we apologize for making this reference. The Texas Lyme Disease Association, Inc., (www.txlda.org) was not connected in any way with this event.