The Michigan House has adopted a resolution introduced by state Representative Bill G. Schuette, designating May as Lyme Disease Awareness Month in Michigan.
“It’s important to further people’s awareness of this disease and the impacts it can have,” Schuette stated. He emphasized that the resolution is timely for spring, urging residents to take precautions such as wearing long sleeves and pants in tick-prone areas, clearing tall grass and bushes from yards, keeping pets free of ticks, and checking for ticks regularly.
Lyme disease is transmitted through tick bites and presents symptoms similar to the flu. If untreated, it can lead to severe long-term effects. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) describes Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome as causing permanent fatigue, body aches, and cognitive difficulties.
There are nearly 500,000 new cases of Lyme disease annually in the United States. In Michigan, cases have been increasing every year since 2012 according to CDC data.
Schuette expressed gratitude towards constituents John Blizzard, Jill and Steve Sklenar, and Sue and Larry Kurin for their advocacy regarding the resolution’s significance.
