Says more federal funding needed to confront growing problem in Maine and around the country Chellie talking with Dr. Peter Rand and Susan Elias of Maine Medical Center Research Institute's Vector-borne Disease Laboratory. Rand is showing Pingree a "tick flag" that is dragged across grass and vegetation to collect ticks for research.
Congresswoman Chellie Pingree met with researchers at Maine Medical Center Research Institute's Vector-borne Disease Laboratory in Scarborough today to discuss the growing problem of Lyme Disease and other tick-borne illnesses that are spreading through Maine. Pingree, a member of the House Appropriations Committee, said she is pushing for increased federal funding for research on Lyme Disease and other tick-borne illnesses.
"Maine, especially the midcoast, is really becoming a hot spot for these diseases and I wanted to see first hand the research that isgoing on right here," Pingree said. "The number of cases of Lyme Disease is skyrocketing—in fact we are #2 in the country behind Vermont on a per capita basis. But we certainly aren't alone, this is a widespread problem and it deserves more funding and resources toward finding the best ways to prevent these diseases and treat people who contract them."
In addition to Lyme Disease, Pingree discussed an increased incidence of other diseases also carried by deer ticks that have begun showing up in Maine, including Powassan, Anaplasmosis and Babesiosis.
