Let Your Legislators Know

That Lyme Disease Counts

To the Editor:

Connecticut residents concerned about the increasing incidence of Lyme disease in our state are invited to address the Public Health Committee in Hartford on Monday, February 26, at the Legislative Office Building.

This is an opportunity for every individual who feels something must be done to eradicate this disease to be heard. The hearing will specifically consider bill #5747 to reinstate mandatory lab reporting for Lyme disease introduced by State Representative Jason Bartlett.

It comes in direct response to the problems his constituents spoke to him about on the campaign trail. This bill alerts the state legislators that the Connecticut Department of Public of Health (DPH) eliminated mandatory lab reporting in 2003 resulting in a misleading drop in case numbers reported.

With only doctors left reporting statewide, numbers dropped from 4,631 in 2002 annually to 1,403 in 2003. Lower numbers falsely indicate to residents and physicians that the state’s prevention efforts are reducing incidence of disease.

In truth, just the opposite is occurring. And, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention clearly acknowledges that even in the best reporting circumstances, only ten percent of diagnosed cases are included in these statistics.

Most residents are equally surprised to find out the state has been spending the federal dollars it receives for Lyme prevention in only three Connecticut health districts (Torrington, Ledgelight and Weston-Westport) as part of a pilot project — there is no statewide plan for Lyme.

The DPH has been promising Lyme disease reporting will be accurate when labs are all on line. The original target date was 2005 — now we are hearing 2009. Can our families wait that long? Representative Bartlett is saying No.

Support him by calling or emailing the Public Health Committee co-chairs Mary Ann Hadley, 860-240-0567, Handley@senatedems.ct.gov, and Peggy Sayers, 860-240-8585, Peggy.Sayers@cga.ct.gov, and let them know we need accurate numbers, funding, and serious efforts made to eradicate this disease from our state.

Being #1 in Lyme for over 30 years should be enough!

Public hearings are open to everyone; those interested in giving testimony are allowed three minutes to speak and must sign up between 9 and 10 am; first come, first served.

Testimony should be relevant to the reporting issue. Please go to the following link to get more information on procedures: www.cga.ct.gov or contact RLDTF@Comcast.net.

Sincerely,

Maggie Shaw

Newtown Lyme Disease Task Force

82 Eden Hill Road, Newtown                                  February 20, 2007