The Kay Hagan Tick Act, signed into law in 2019, called for the development of a national strategy to address vector-borne diseases, including Lyme and other tick-borne infections.

Since then, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has been working to develop the plan. It includes such goals as improving surveillance, diagnosis, prevention, treatment, and research.

Now, HHS is seeking input from a variety of sources—including people affected by Lyme and other vector-borne diseases.

In a Request for Information (RFI) posted on the Federal Registry, HHS said that public comments must be received electronically no later than midnight Eastern Time on June 11.

Questions you can answer

It states:

This RFI seeks public input on strengthening and improving the nation’s response to vector-borne diseases in a number of areas. Responses may address one or more of the areas below:

1. What do you recommend as the top priorities to address vector-borne diseases in the United States during the next five years? Why are these the most important priorities?
2. What goals, objectives, and strategies would you propose for each of your top priority areas?
3. Do you have recommendations on specific research or programmatic efforts to improve surveillance, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of vector-borne diseases?
4. Any additional topics you wish to provide input on.

Click here for more information about this RFI and how to submit comments.