U.S. Senator Tina Smith’s Legislation to Combat Lyme Disease & Other Tick-Borne Diseases Becomes Law

Most recent data shows Minnesota recorded 3,551 cases in 2024 alone, a rate that has likely increased in recent years

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Tina Smith's (D-MN) bipartisan bill to expand research, testing and treatment for Lyme and other tick-borne diseases has been signed into law by the President. The Kay Hagan Tick Reauthorization Act passed the U.S. Senate in August, passed the U.S. House of Representatives in mid-September.

"The number of Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses has been rising at an alarming rate. This law will step up regional efforts at researching, testing and treating Lyme and other tick-borne diseases. We must cut down on tick-borne illnesses for the sake of Americans' health and well-being," said Sen. Smith. "This law will save lives, especially in states like Minnesota, where tick populations have been rising."

Over the past two decades, Minnesota has experienced a significant rise in tick-borne diseases. According to the Minnesota Department of Health, Lyme disease remains the state's most reported tick-borne illness, with 3,551 probable cases reported in 2024. In the same year, Minnesota also reported hundreds of cases of other tickborne diseases: 627 cases of anaplasmosis, 89 cases of babesiosis and 14 cases of Powassan virus disease.

The bill, co-led by Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME), was named in honor of former Sen. Kay Hagan (D-NC), who passed away on October 28, 2019, due to complications from the tick-borne Powassan virus.

Using a three-pronged approach, The Kay Hagan Tick Reauthorization Act will:

1. Continue implementation and updates of the Department of Health and Human Services' National Public Health Strategy to Prevent and Control Vector-Borne Diseases in People.

This will support ongoing federal efforts to advance research, improve diagnostics and strengthen coordination on vector-borne diseases.

1. Reauthorize the Regional Centers of Excellence in Vector-Borne Disease for five years.

These centers support critical research, surveillance and public health efforts to address tick-borne diseases and other vector-borne threats.

1. Reauthorize CDC grants to state health departments to strengthen vector-borne disease prevention and response efforts.

These grants will support surveillance, early detection and diagnosis, treatment efforts, public education, and partnerships to address Lyme disease and other vector-borne diseases.

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