From The National Capital Lyme Disease Association
GOVERNOR’S LYME DISEASE TASK FORCE TO CONDUCT SECOND HEARING

Richmond, VA- Friday January 7, 2011. Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell’s appointed Lyme Disease Task Force will conduct its second expert testimony hearing on Friday, January 21, 2011 in the Perimeter Center outside Richmond. The hearing is designed to gather important information about methods of prevention of this rapidly spreading vector borne illness. A similar hearing held in November focused on improving diagnostic tests and increasing awareness among patients and medical practitioners. Expert witnesses for this month’s session will include representatives from academia, public health and government agencies (see below for speaker affiliations).

More than nine hundred new cases of Lyme in Virginia were reported in 2009, and the CDC indicates ten times as many residents, particularly children, may be afflicted with this insidious disease. According to the Virginia Department of Health (VDH), in addition to the Eastern Shore and Northern Virginia, areas of high incidence now include counties to the south and west. “Whole families are ill and are being harmed,” says Michael Farris, chairman of the Task Force.

Mr. Farris is a United States constitutional lawyer and the Chancellor of Patrick Henry College. Members of the task force include physicians, patient representatives, state health and wildlife officials, a veterinarian and other key professionals.

In addition to further expert testimony hearings, the task force will hold five geographically-organized forums to gather the testimonies of patients and caregivers. These forums will be held over the course of 2011 in Northern Virginia, Norfolk, Richmond, Roanoke and Harrisonburg. The output of the expert hearings and patient forums will be developed into recommendations for Governor McDonnell’s consideration.

All hearings are free and open to the public. The January 21 hearing will be held from 1:00PM until 4:00PM at the Perimeter Center in the Commonwealth Conference Center on the second floor. The Perimeter Center is easily accessible off 1-64 at 9960 Mayland Drive, Henrico, Virginia 23233. Ample free parking is available.

Expert witnesses:
Dr. David N. Gaines
Public Health Entomologist
VA Department of Health, Office of Epidemiology

Nelson Lafon
Assistant Deer Project Leader
VA Department of Game and Inland Fisheries

J. Mathews (Mat) Pound, PhD
Research Entomologist
USDA-ARS Knipling-Bushland U.S. Livestock Insects Research Service

Dr. Charles Apperson
Public Health Entomologist
North Carolina State University

Kerry Clark, M.P.H., PhD.
Professor of Epidemiology and Environmental Health
University of North Florida

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