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PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Sen. Jack Reed is calling for a national strategy to combat Lyme disease.
The Democrat from Rhode Island has joined with Senate colleagues to introduce legislation that would allocate resources to fighting tick-borne diseases throughout the country. The bill would focus on research and education on the diseases and outreach for individuals and families.
Reed says Lyme disease is a serious health problem that has been a mystery for far too long.
He says the bill would strengthen surveillance of tick-borne illnesses and ensure health professionals have the latest tools and training to diagnose and treat patients.
Reed helped secure $23 million last year for Lyme disease research grants.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates about 300,000 cases of Lyme disease are diagnosed annually in the U.S.
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