Senator Ken LaValle Secures $150,000 in Funding to Aid the Fight Against Lyme Disease
Shelter Island, NY - August 5, 2014 - Senator Ken LaValle secured $150,000 in state funding to be utilized for fighting Lyme and tick-borne diseases on the East End of Long Island. Senator LaValle, who serves as Co-Chair of the NY Senate Coalition Task Force on Lyme and tick-borne diseases, obtain dedicated operating funds for both Shelter Island and North Haven’s four-poster deer tick programs.
Senator LaValle said, “With the high incidence of these tick-borne illnesses on the East End, we need to work to eradicate the diseases and end the transmission to individuals. I am hopeful that these two pilot programs will be successful. I look forward to working with the Town and Village to monitor these initiatives and the results so we can better develop a long-term effective tick management strategy.”
Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele, Jr. noted, “The extent and severity of the Lyme disease cases on the East End has escalated to the point of a public health crisis. Senator LaValle and I have been working closely with our municipalities to find the most appropriate management strategies. This funding will allow North Haven and Shelter Island to expand highly successful four-poster programs.”
Senator LaValle serves as a Co-chair of the Senate Coalition Task Force on Lyme and Tick-Borne Diseases. The Task Force was successful in securing funding in this year’s state budget, from which the $150,000 was allocated. The Task Force issued a report in June focusing on improving prevention, diagnosis and treatment protocols. Senator LaValle has also made a brochure on Lyme and tick-borne disease information available via his senate website.
The Task Force report can also be found on Senator LaValle’s website.