Commonwealth of Massachusetts
A Proclamation
His Excellency Governor Deval L. Patrick
Whereas Lyme disease is an infectious disease caused by spirochetal bacteria called Borrelia burgdorferi, which is carried by deer ticks; and
Whereas Lyme disease is the most common tick-borne disease in the United States; and
Whereas The number of reported cases of Lyme disease in Massachusetts has increased ten-fold between 1997 and 2009; and
Whereas If it is not treated early, Lyme disease can infect every part of the body; and
Whereas In Massachusetts, the carriers of Lyme disease, deer ticks, can also carry the co-infections, such as babesiosis and human granulocytic anaplasmosis and erlichiosis; and
Whereas There are multiple protective actions that can be taken by individuals to reduce exposure and infection; and
Whereas Through public awareness, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts seeks to minimize the devastating effects of Lyme disease among all Massachusetts citizens,
Now, Therefore, I, Deval L. Patrick, Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, do hereby proclaim May 2012, to be
Lyme Disease Awareness Month
And urge all the citizens of the Commonwealth to take cognizance of this event and participate fittingly in its observance.
Given at the Executive Chamber in Boston, fifth day of June, in the year two thousand and twelve, and of the Independence of the United States of America, the two hundred and thirty-fifth.
By His Excellency
Deval L. Patrick
Governor of the Commonwealth
William Francis Galvin
Secretary of the Commonwealth
God Save the Commonwealth of Massachusetts