HARRISBURG, Pa. - For the last 3 years, Pennsylvania has led the nation in the number of confirmed cases of Lyme disease. Last year, the state reported 7,457 cases. Following the steady rise in the disease, state officials are continuing to take steps to address the problem.
Secretary of Health Karen Murphy unveiled the results of a report, produced by the 20 member Lyme Disease Task Force, on Lyme and other tick-borne disease in Pennsylvania. According to the report, certain populations are more at-risk including school-age children ages 5 to 14, adults 45 to 54-years-old, and people with outdoor occupations.
The task force made several recommendations which include implementing protocol for schools in high-risk area and expansion of diagnostic testing.
"We know it can't be all done at one time," Murphy said. " But we can take steps to help curb the incidents of Lyme in Pennsylvania and with the goal of reassuring everyone in the commonwealth that we will continue to work towards eradicating this debilitating disease."
According to the CDC, there are about 329,000 cases of Lyme disease in the United States each year.
To see the complete report from the Pennsylvania Lyme Disease Task force, click here.