Throughout my tenure holding elected office, I have become increasingly concerned by the growing epidemic of Lyme disease and tick-borne illness in Pennsylvania.

In comparison to other states, this epidemic is reaching crisis proportions in the commonwealth with increasing reports of confirmed cases of tick-borne illness.

Absent a comprehensive strategy for prevention and both rapid and effective treatment once the disease is detected, the epidemic will only continue to grow.

Fortunately, a statewide Task Force on Lyme Disease and Related Tick-Borne Diseases was created last year, and the group recently released a series of recommendations for improving the prevention, education and surveillance of Lyme disease in Pennsylvania.

Act 83 of 2014 established the task force and directed the group to study ways Pennsylvania could “provide the public with better information and education, to create greater public awareness of the dangers of and measures available to prevent, and to diagnose and treat Lyme disease and related maladies.”

The task force provided several prevention recommendations.

First, Pennsylvania should develop and implement a plan and funding strategy for schools located in high-risk areas to educate students on how to protect from Lyme disease.

Similarly, a policy is needed for federal, state and local park staff and properties to communicate risk awareness to the public.

Finally, the state should coordinate the distribution of publications for physicians to provide to patients when they are evaluated for potential Lyme and related tick-borne infections.

Several education recommendations were also provided as part of the report. As part of a broader education effort, Pennsylvania needs a comprehensive, statewide public awareness campaign.

As part of this education effort, an initial and ongoing program is needed for healthcare providers to educate them as to the prevention of tick bites and prevention of disease progression from acute to later stages of infection.

The report also detailed a number of surveillance and containment strategies to prevent the spread of tick-borne illness and identified the need for state monies to conduct research and ensure early detection of disease.

Together, these recommendations provide a framework for Pennsylvania to address the growing public concern and the increasing prevalence of tick-borne illness. The task force report is a critical step forward in addressing this growing epidemic in our region.

To view the full report, visit my website, marioscavello.com.

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Editor’s note: State Sen. Mario Scavello, a Republican, represents the 40th Senatorial District, serving residents of Northampton and Monroe counties.