According To The CDC, Suffolk County Had The Highest Number Of Lyme Disease Cases In The Country Between 2019 And 2022
New York Was The Number One State For Reported Cases Of Lyme Disease In 2022
In the midst of tick season, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand joined elected officials and advocates at the Quogue Wildlife Refuge to announce her push for federal funding to research tick-borne illnesses. The senator was joined by Junior Board Member at Project Lyme and CEO and Co-Founder of TiCK MiTT Olivia Abrams, Board Chair of Project Lyme Ali Moresco, Dr. Jorge Benach, and Suffolk County Legislator Ann Welker.
Ticks are widespread throughout Long Island and transmit a number of dangerous diseases, including Lyme disease, which can lead to serious complications and complex chronic conditions that have not been well-studied. According to the CDC, Suffolk County had the highest number of Lyme disease cases in the country between 2019 and 2022, and New York was the number one state for reported cases in 2022.
“Lyme disease, other tick-borne illnesses, and the sometimes lifelong complications they cause are not adequately understood. Further research will help develop better treatments and preventative measures for the thousands of New Yorkers who suffer from Lyme and the millions more who live in high-risk areas like Suffolk County,” said Senator Gillibrand. “I am fighting to include almost $200 million in next year’s government funding bill to fund research to understand the impact of Lyme and other tick-borne illnesses and help combat the often life-altering impacts of these diseases.”
“As someone who has personally dealt with the devastating effects of Lyme Disease and who has dedicated their entrepreneurial journey to preventing tick bites. Tick prevention and research is paramount at a time where cases of tick-borne diseases are significantly rising in people and pets. We are so honored to stand shoulder to shoulder with Senator Gillibrand as she continues to champion research and solutions for what’s becoming the fastest growing vector-borne illness in the United States,” said Olivia Abrams, Board Member Project Lyme and CEO of TiCK MiTT.
“New York State bears a disproportionate burden of tick-borne disease in the USA. Suffolk County bears a disproportionate burden of tick-borne disease in New York State. Six tick borne diseases can be acquired in Suffolk County. The federal funds that Senator Gillibrand is seeking will be exactly what is needed to move this field forward and bring these diseases under control,” said Dr. Jorge Benach, Stony Brook University.
Gillibrand is calling for:
- $30 million for the Department of Health and Human Services to implement a national strategy to address vector-borne diseases, including tick-borne diseases.
- $30 million for the CDC to further their Lyme disease and tick-borne illness work.
- $9 million to support the Department of Defense’s Tick-Borne Disease Research Program. Because many military bases are located in regions with large tick populations, service members and their families are at particularly high risk for tick-borne illnesses.
- $130 million for Lyme and tick-borne disease research at the National Institutes of Health.
Lyme disease is a bacterial infection carried by deer ticks, which can be transmitted through a bite to a human or animal. If left untreated, the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi travels through the bloodstream, manifests itself in body tissues, and causes mild or severe symptoms, depending on the case. Lyme disease typically begins as a rash at the location of the tick bite and then spreads to the nervous system, heart, and joints. Early diagnosis and antibiotic treatment are crucial to recovery, and appropriate antibiotic use in the early stages of Lyme disease typically results in a swift recovery. Untreated and undiagnosed Lyme disease can lead to debilitating effects on a person’s health. For more information on reported New York Lyme disease cases by county, click here.
Senator Gillibrand has long fought for federal resources for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of tick-borne diseases like Lyme disease. Gillibrand secured the Kay Hagan Tick Act in the 2019 yearly government funding package, and her tireless advocacy has delivered increased federal funding for Lyme and tick-borne disease research.