Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. traveled to New Hampshire Friday to announce the federal government is launching a major effort to combat Lyme disease.
As part of his “Take Back Your Health” tour, RFK Jr. was at the state capital in Concord talking ticks and Lyme disease.
“We are launching one of the most ambitious federal efforts ever to undertake and combat Lyme disease,” Kennedy said.
Lyme disease is most prevalent in the Northeast. Last year in Vermont, there were more than 2,200 probable cases of Lyme disease, according to the Vermont Department of Health. They said that’s the highest yet. It’s estimated that 56% of adult ticks in the state have the bacteria that causes Lyme disease, a bacterial infection that, if left untreated, can cause lifelong neurological problems.
“NIH is already investing nearly $50 million in Lyme disease research and another $122 million in tick-borne disease research,” Kennedy said.
Treatment is available if Lyme disease is diagnosed early. A human vaccine trial is also underway.