Chris Smith: “Lyme disease is the most prevalent vector-borne disease in the United States today, and members of the U.S. Armed Forces…”

“Lyme disease is the most prevalent vector-borne disease in the United States today, and members of the U.S. Armed Forces are not immune to its debilitating effects, as they train and complete exercises out in grassy and wooded areas. According to the February 2018 Medical Surveillance Monthly Report, published by the Armed Forces Health Surveillance Branch, tick-borne diseases accounted for more than half of the confirmed cases of vector- borne diseases among service members--active duty and reserve--recorded over seven years, from 2010-2016. Lyme disease alone had the largest number of confirmed cases. In its inaugural report to Congress, the federal Tick-Borne Disease Working Group stated that ``Tick-Borne Diseases have rapidly become a serious and growing threat to public health in the United States. Despite many scientific unknowns, experts agree that the incidence and distribution of tick-borne diseases are increasing.'' The Working Group also stated that ``Federal funding for tick-borne diseases is less per new surveillance case than that of any other disease.'' While the tick-borne disease research at CDMRP has been continuously funded at $5 million since Fiscal Year 2016, the Working Group's report is a sign that there is still much more to be done. The amendment I offer today will increase funding by $2 million for the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program (CDMRP) for the purposes of tick-borne disease research.…”