WASHINGTON, D.C. – As reports show that cases of Lyme Disease have skyrocketed in New Jersey and other parts of the northeast, Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) convened a Lyme summit, meeting with Julie Gerberding, national director of the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and other lawmakers, doctors and activists to discuss ways patient and physician needs could be better met.

“I have become increasingly concerned with reports of patients who go long periods of time before getting a definitive diagnosis due to the lack of a gold standard diagnostic test and who receive delayed or inappropriate treatment because of the lack of treating physicians nationwide,” said Rep. Smith, a long-time advocate of Lyme disease research and prevention funding.

Symptoms of the disease may include fever, headache, fatigue, and sometimes a rash, which may be an expanding bull’s eye shape. If not diagnosed and treated early, Lyme disease can lead to chronic illness and can affect every system in the body, including the central nervous system and cardiac systems.  Due to the debilitating affects of Lyme, many patients lose their jobs and must apply for disability.

“This meeting helped to move the dialogue forward, and I am appreciative of CDC’s coming to the table to discuss the plight of suffering patients,” said Rep. Smith.  Pat Smith, (no relation) President of the national Lyme Disease Association echoed those comments stating that the meeting “was a good first step that will open the door for more dialogue, and dialogue leads to action.”  Pat Smith, a Wall Township resident, became involved in Lyme when her two daughters contracted Lyme disease in the 1980’s.

“What we need are concrete actions on the part of CDC and other agencies that will result in tangible help for the large numbers of Americans desperately ill with this disease.  I am committed to fight to see those actions taken as soon as possible,” said Rep. Smith.  Actions that Rep. Smith would advocate include establishing a Lyme disease advisory committee, holding a conference of treating physicians, incorporating a greater diversity of reputable scientific views into CDC guidance and developing a more definitive diagnostic test.

Smith also used the summit to push for passage of HR 3427, the Lyme and Tick-Borne Disease Prevention, Education and Research Act.  The bill, authored by Smith, has over 70 bipartisan cosponsors and would authorize an increase in the research and education of Lyme disease by $100 million over five years.

“My bill would greatly enhance our ability to treat this incapacitating disease, and I will continue to vigorously work to ensure its passage.  In New Jersey and around the country, more needs to be done as Lyme and other tick-borne diseases as well are an increasing problem that needs to be further addressed,” said Smith.

Smith’s bill would improve tests used to diagnose Lyme disease, enhance the public health surveillance systems and improve our public education campaign to prevent new cases of Lyme disease.  It also would create a federal task force on Lyme disease.

 Last year, the number of reported cases of Lyme disease climbed to a record high of 3,372 in New Jersey and approximately 22,000 nationally.  Since only 10% of cases are actually reported, approximately 220,000 Americans developed Lyme disease in 2005 alone.  

Over 100 organizations nationwide – including all of the national Lyme Disease Association chapters and affiliates, and the International Lyme & Associated Diseases Society (ILADS), a professional medical organization – have signed onto a letter supporting Smith’s bill and its Senate companion bill.

For additional information on Lyme disease and Rep. Smith’s bill, please visit http://www.LymeDiseaseAssociation.org