Sebastopol City Council
May 3, 2022

CITY OF SEBASTOPOL
Proclamation
Recognizing May 2022 as National Lyme Disease
Awareness Month
WHEREAS, Lyme disease is a bacterial infection primarily transmitted by Ixodes ticks, also known as deer ticks or blacklegged ticks and these tiny arachnids are typically found in wooded and grassy areas; and
WHEREAS, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that 476,000 people are diagnosed with Lyme disease; and
WHEREAS, Lyme disease can impact the quality of life of individuals and their families; and WHEREAS, Patients with Lyme disease are frequently misdiagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, and various psychiatric illnesses, including depression; and misdiagnosis with these other diseases may delay the correct diagnosis and treatment as the underlying infection progresses unchecked; and WHEREAS, Lyme disease and Lyme co-infections if left untreated may result in complicated multi-level infections that are life-altering, and
WHEREAS, Lyme disease is preventable if the right precautions are taken, and it is important that everyone know how to protect themselves; and
WHEREAS Lyme Disease Awareness Month is an opportunity to increase awareness of this serious disease and to educate on prevention and recognition of early signs and symptoms; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, THAT I, Mayor Patrick Slayter, do hereby proclaim the month of May 2022 as National Lyme Disease Awareness Month and invite the community to enjoy the outdoors like you always would, but also to be aware of the risks involved and how to avoid them
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and the Great Seal of the City of Sebastopol this 3rd day of May 2022.