Sen. Casey seeks CDC help in fighting Lyme disease in Pennsylvania

Sen. Bob Casey Jr. (D-Pa.) has asked the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to help his state combat Lyme disease, which has increased due to a mild winter and a larger population of ticks.

"I respectfully request that CDC offer its assistance to the Pennsylvania Department of Health and local health departments in the state to wage an aggressive and robust campaign to communicate the risks of Lyme disease to Pennsylvanians, and highlight actions to prevent infections and ensure that those who are affected get effective diagnosis and treatment," Casey wrote in a letter to CDC Director Thomas Frieden. "I would ask that you report back to me your efforts in this regard, and identify how my office can assist you with such efforts."

The Pennsylvania Department of Health said Lyme disease is currently the fourth most common infection reported in the state.

"Lyme disease is a threat in every corner of Pennsylvania, and residents need to know that the CDC is doing everything in its power to tackle the increase in tick population the warm weather has caused," Casey said. "Ticks transmit a host of other illnesses in addition to Lyme disease, so it is essential that Pennsylvanians are taking precautions to protect themselves and their families this summer."

Lyme disease commonly goes undiagnosed at first because the symptoms often present themselves as other diseases. The whole Northeast has seen an influx in cases this year.

Last month, JPMorgan Chase blamed its multibillion-dollar trading loss on the undiagnosed Lyme disease of Ina Drew, who was in charge of investments for the bank. The company said because she was frequently out of the office due to fatigue, the investment office was allowed to make riskier bets.

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