As part of what Sen. Patty Ritchie calls “Lyme Disease Awareness Month,” she is teaming up with local school districts to provide information concerning the prevention of both Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) and Lyme disease.

Through informational pamphlets created by Ritchie—who serves on the Senate’s Task Force on Lyme and Tick-Borne Diseases—students and families throughout Jefferson, Oswego and St. Lawrence counties are being connected with information on how to protect themselves from Lyme disease and EEE. Here in the North Country, the number of cases of EEE and Lyme disease have seen a sharp increase over the last decade, according to Ritchie’s office.

“It is critically important that parents and students know the danger, and steps they can take to protect themselves and their loved ones,” Ritchie, R-Heuvelton, said in a prepared statement. “That’s why this information needs to be distributed to as many people as possible to prevent EEE and Lyme in Central and Northern New York. I want to thank our local school districts, superintendents, teachers, students and families for their efforts to help spread the word.”

The pamphlet is on Ritchie’s website, www.ritchie.nysenate.gov.

Her office said she cosponsored the following measures—all of which have passed the Senate—to help stop the spread of Lyme and other tick-borne diseases, as well as improve treatment for those affected by them:

• Senate Bill (S2168) helps to address the issue of a lack of insurance coverage for those diagnosed with Lyme disease. The bill requires the State Health Care Quality and Cost Containment Commission to meet annually and submit a report on the impact of providing coverage for Lyme and other tick-borne diseases;

• Senate Bill (S2588) provides homeowners with important information on the best way to safeguard their property from ticks. It directs the Commissioner of Environmental Conservation to develop guidelines for best practices in treating residential properties to reduce exposure to ticks; and

• Senate Bill (S2621) helps to ensure medical professionals receive the proper training to treat those who have contracted Lyme or other tick-borne disease. It authorizes the Department of Health to award grants for graduate medical education in Lyme and tick-borne diseases, designate organizations as centers of excellence for Lyme and tick-borne diseases, and designate Lyme and tick-borne-disease resource centers.