2007

Special Thanks to Legislators Ed Romaine and Jay Schneiderman for their 2007  Resolution that designates May as “Lyme Disease Awareness Month” in Suffolk County. Thanks also to the Suffolk County Executive and the Suffolk County legislators.

	NEWS BULLETIN SUFFOLK COUNTY DEPARTMENT of CIVIL SERVICE OFFICE OF PUBLIC INFORMATION PO Box 6100 Building 158 - North County Complex Hauppauge , New York 11788-0099 (631) 853-4402 STEVE LEVY                                                               ALAN SCHNEIDER Suffolk County Executive                                             Personnel Director

May 2008

For Your Information 

from Suffolk County Department of Health Services 

Dr. Humayun J. Chaudhry, D.O., M.S., Commissioner 

May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month in Suffolk County 

In 2007, Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy signed a resolution introduced by Legislators Romaine and Schneiderman that designates May as “Lyme Disease Awareness Month” in Suffolk County . Lyme disease is a serious tick-borne illness, which is endemic in New York and is a nationally recognized health problem. It strikes people of all ages, making the need for research and public information regarding its origin, prevention, treatment and control a priority among medical professionals.
Lyme disease is caused by the bite of an infected blacklegged tick (deer tick). Ticks become active once the daytime temperature/weather stays above freezing (even if it still below freezing at night.) In tick prone areas, any contact with vegetation, even playing in the yard, can result in exposure to ticks.
The most noticeable sign of Lyme disease is a rash resembling a bull’s-eye, or solid patch, which usually, but not always, develops between 3 and 30 days after the tick bite. The rash often expands over time and can last for several weeks. In some cases, no rash appears, while in other cases, there are multiple rashes. The rash does not normally itch or feel painful. Other symptoms of early Lyme disease include fever, fatigue, headache, stiff neck, muscle aches and joint pain. If you notice these signs or symptoms, consult a health care provider immediately. 
Dr. Chaudhry D.O., M.S, Commissioner of Suffolk County Department of Health Services said, “One of the most effective ways to avoid Lyme disease is to check your body for ticks at the end of each day. Check your entire body, paying particular attention to the backs of knees, groin area, behind the ears, the scalp area, armpits and your back.”  For more information contact the county’s Division of Public Health at (631) 853-3055 or go to the county health department’s website www.suffolkcountyny.gov/health. You can also visit the New York State Department of Health’s website at www.health.state.ny.us which can be accessed from the county web site. 


We extend many thanks and much gratitude to our Suffolk County Legislator Ed Romaine for understanding our plight and for hosting the Lyme Disease Town Hall Meeting in Riverhead:

***Lyme Disease Town Hall Meeting on August 30, 2007 !!!***

Why: Lyme Disease Town Hall Meeting With Guest Speakers and Q & A

When: August 30th

Time: 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm

Place: Legislative Auditorium at the County Center in Riverhead.

We also extend many thanks to Ed Romaine for writing the resolution for the  
Suffolk County Tick Management Task Force and for working to get the resolution passed!

Brookhaven Town made May Lyme Awareness Month!
On April 17, 2007, Supervisor Brian X. Foley and the entire Brookhaven Town Board unanimously voted yes to May as Lyme Awareness Month. To thank or contact Brookhaven Town Council, go to:

http://www.brookhaven.org/OfficeoftheSupervisor/SupervisorOffice/tabid/141/Default.aspx 
Also, we would like to mention Councilwoman Kathleen Walsh and Councilwoman Connie Kepert for their thoughtfulness and continued support of Empire State Lyme Disease Association, Inc.

Riverhead Town made May Lyme Awareness Month!
With special thanks to Councilwoman Barbara Blass and the Riverhead Town Council and Supervisor Phil Cardinale.  To thank or contact Barbara Blass at Riverhead Town Council, go to: blass@riverheadli.com or to contact Supervisor Cardinale, go to: http://philcardinale.com/

Southampton Town made May Lyme Awareness Month!
With special thanks to Trustee Ed Warner and the Southampton Town Board and the Hon. Patrick A. Heaney, Town Supervisor. To thank or contact Southampton Town Council, Please click on Hon. Patrick A. Heaney, Town Supervisor
or Trustee  Ed Warner Jr. 

Suffolk County has agreed to make May Lyme Awareness Month!
With special thanks to Legislator Ed Romaine, the Suffolk County Legislature and Executive Steve Levy.
 

Legislator Ed Romaine has individually taken it upon himself to help Lyme patients in Suffolk County and he needs our support to get his Resolutions and Certificate passed. For the first time ever, if he gets all passed, among other good things, there will be funding for Lyme disease awareness in Suffolk County!!!! So, residents of Suffolk and non-residents alike, please take a moment and write letters! 

Because this is so important, I will be sending out reminders, so if you have sent a letter, please email us at EmpireStateLyme@aol.com so that we take you off the "reminder" list. 
Thanks so much for doing this!

Sample letter for Resident of Suffolk County: (If you would rather email than snail mail, this is county Executive Steve Levy's email: county.executive@suffolkcountyny.gov  )
 H. Lee Dennison Building
100 Veterans Memorial Highway
P.O. Box 6100
Hauppauge, NY 11788-0099
(631) 853-4000

April 12, 2007

Dear Honorable County Executive Steve Levy,

While it may seem the Suffolk economy would suffer if you raise awareness about Lyme disease, you cannot hide from this problem any more. The truth is coming out because of the number of people infected in Suffolk County and in the world. Lyme disease is, in fact, a problem across the world. So the sooner you admit it and do something about it, the less damage will be done to us, and especially to our children, as children between the ages of 5-9 are most at risk. 
Personal Blurb I myself - or my family - have Lyme disease and . . . . . . . .

Lyme disease debilitates people and our economy is now and will suffer terribly from the cost of caring for the Lyme-disabled.

You have a chance to do some good by supporting Ed Romaine's Certificate of Necessity and Memorializing Resolutions:

* "Certificate of Necessity," which will allow the Legislature to adopt the Awareness Month resolution at the 4/24 meeting so it can take effect before May 1.

* Memorializing resolution in support of U.S.Congress bill HR 741, which provides for the expansion of Federal efforts concerning the prevention, education, treatment, and research activities related to Lyme and other tick-borne diseases, including the establishment of a Tick-Borne Diseases Advisory Committee.

* Memorializing resolution in support of the Senate bill. S02387 Relates to professional discipline proceedings concerning diagnosis and treatment of Lyme disease and related tick-borne illness

* 20,000.00 per year for Lyme disease awareness and education in Suffolk County for 5 years

* Four poster Feeder Study on Shelter Island

Thank you.
Sincerely, 

Sample letter for NON-RESIDENTS of Suffolk County:

H. Lee Dennison Building
100 Veterans Memorial Highway
P.O. Box 6100
Hauppauge, NY 11788-0099
(631) 853-4000

April 12, 2007

Dear Honorable County Executive Steve Levy,

While Suffolk County is a beautiful place to visit, we will have to stop thinking of Suffolk as our tourist destination until you do something about Lyme disease. Everyone knows the high number of people infected with Lyme disease in Suffolk County. We also realize that no matter where a person chooses for a vacation spot, across the world, Lyme disease is a risk. So please Executive Levy, support Ed Romaine's Certificate of Necessity and Memorializing Resolutions, so that my family and all tourists will at least feel safer going to your gorgeous beaches, quaint old towns, and other wonderful places.

* "Certificate of Necessity," which will allow the Legislature to adopt the Awareness Month resolution at the 4/24 meeting so it can take effect before May 1.

* Memorializing resolution in support of U.S.Congress bill HR 741, which provides for the expansion of Federal efforts concerning the prevention, education, treatment, and research activities related to Lyme and other tick-borne diseases, including the establishment of a Tick-Borne Diseases Advisory Committee.

* Memorializing resolution in support of the Senate bill. S02387 Relates to professional discipline proceedings concerning diagnosis and treatment of Lyme disease and related tick-borne illness

* 20,000.00 per year for Lyme disease awareness and education in Suffolk County for 5 years

* Four poster Feeder Study on Shelter Island

Thank you.
Sincerely,