Delgado Tours Cary Institute in Millbrook, Focuses on Addressing Climate Change and Lyme Disease
MILLBROOK, NY—Today, U.S. Representative Antonio Delgado (NY-19) visited the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies in Millbrook. The Congressman toured the Institute’s labs, held a roundtable with leadership, and answered questions from the institute’s scientists and researchers. Today’s visit focused on the institute’s work to address climate change, the environment, invasive species, forests, protecting freshwater habitats, and their TICK project, a five-year study to determine whether neighborhood-based prevention can reduce human cases of Lyme and other tick-borne diseases.
“The Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies is doing critically important work to protect our environment and combat the spread of invasive species and tick-borne diseases, including Lyme. We are so fortunate to have world class ecological research facilities here in upstate that are working to preserve our public lands and bodies of water that serve our communities and drive our local economy,” said Delgado. “I thank the Cary Institute for their time this morning, and their work and research every day to improve and protect our communities and combat climate change. I will continue to serve as their partner in Congress to champion the work of scientists.”
Lyme disease is a growing concern for upstate New York residents: From 2007 to 2017, Lyme disease cases rose by 78% in the 19th Congressional District, and approximately half of adult deer ticks in the state are carriers for Lyme disease. Effectively addressing Lyme disease requires health, environmental, and research entities to work together. Rep. Delgado successfully amended House appropriations legislation to include increased funding for Lyme disease research, prevention, and treatment and co-sponsored the bipartisan National Lyme and Tick-Borne Diseases Control and Accountability Act of 2019 which creates the Office of Oversight and Coordination for Tick-Borne Disease within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The office will foster collaboration between various government departments and organizations. Delgado has met with Lyme disease experts and advocates in upstate New York and is also a member of the bipartisan Lyme Disease Caucus. The caucus is committed to advancing initiatives designed to help with treatment and prevention of Lyme and other tick-borne diseases, as well as educating Members of Congress and their staff on the impact of Lyme disease.
