H.C.R. No. 51 Summary

• Urges the CDC to update definitions of Lyme disease symptoms based on clinical diagnosis, as the disease is the most common tick-borne illness in the United States with an estimated 300,000 annual diagnoses.

• Requests the CDC reconsider standards and best practices for diagnosing and treating Lyme disease, noting significant debate exists within the medical community on proper treatment approaches.

• Calls for the CDC to provide additional resources to healthcare professionals and the public about Lyme disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, and to improve laboratory testing methods for early detection.

• Directs the CDC to work with state and local health agencies to improve reporting techniques so that more Lyme disease cases are reported, as only 30,000 of an estimated 300,000 annual cases are currently reported.

• Requires the House Clerk to transmit the resolution to the President, U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, CDC Director, Congress members, and Ohio news media.