Delaware strengthened its arsenal Monday in the fight to eradicate Lyme disease.
Gov. Jack Markell (D) signed two bills into law: one allowing state environmental officials to kill ticks that carry the disease and another requiring doctors, nurses and others to learn more about Lyme disease as part of their continuing education.
Sen. Ernie Lopez (R-Lewes), who helped draft the bills, says constituents of his have relayed stories of never testing positive for the disease, but who suffered from it for years.
“This misdiagnosis issue is one that’s a big concern, so having that awareness on the outset is something that’s important and that was a strong concurrent of what was coming out of the voices of those who suffer from the disease,” Lopez said.
House Speaker Pete Schwartzkopf (D-Rehoboth Beach) says listening to the stories of those living with Lyme disease while drawing up these bills was harrowing.
“It was one of the biggest eye-openers I think I’ve had in the 14 years that I’ve been [in the state legislature]. The devastation that this disease causes to the body is just unbelievable,” Schwartzkopf said.
Schwartzkopf and others tried to set aside money to help kill ticks on public lands this year, but the proposal never made it into the state budget.
Work on drawing up curriculum for healthcare workers will begin immediately.
