An HHS working group released its first report on tick-borne diseases Nov. 14.
The Tick-Borne Disease Working Group must submit a report on its research and recommendations to HHS Secretary Alex Azar and Congress every two years.
The working group comprises six subcommittees tasked with researching the following topics:
- Care services and support to patients
- Disease vectors, surveillance and prevention
- Other tick-borne diseases and co-infections
- Pathogenesis, transmission and treatment
- Testing and diagnostics
- Vaccine and therapeutics
The working group called tick-borne diseases a "serious, potentially deadly, and rapidly growing threat to public health," in its November 2018 report. The group identified several actions to address this issue, including improving early diagnoses, developing rapid and accurate lab tests, and better tracking infections.
"Increased federal funding, prioritization and leadership are needed to reverse the alarming trends associated with tick-borne diseases," the working group said.
To view the full report, click here.
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