The Michigan House today adopted a resolution from state Representative Bill G. Schuette declaring May as Lyme Disease Awareness Month in the state of Michigan.

“It’s important to further people’s awareness of this disease and the impacts it can have,” Schuette said. “This resolution comes in time for a new spring and encourages people to wear long sleeves and pants in areas with high concentrations of ticks, clear tall grass and bushes in yards, keep your pets tick free and most importantly to always check for ticks.”

Lyme disease is a tick-borne illness with symptoms very similar to the common flu, but if not treated right away it can have significant long-term effects. Many people don’t realize they have Lyme disease until it has already caused lasting harm. The long-term effects of what the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) calls Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome include permanent fatigue, body aches, and difficulty thinking.

There are almost half a million new cases of Lyme disease in the United States every year, and according to the CDC cases in Michigan have been rising every year since 2012.

Schuette thanked constituents John Blizzard, Jill and Steve Sklenar, and Sue and Larry Kurin for their outreach on the importance of the resolution.