04/12/2002

The Commission on Lyme Disease and other Tick-Borne Infections, created by Governor Almond through an executive order in November, will hold the second of two public meetings Wednesday to solicit information about the disease and its prevention and treatment.

The meeting will be at Independence Square II Auditorium, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Lower Campus.

The Commission is seeking comments from health-care providers, representatives of advocacy groups, and others on the following topics: current efforts to prevent Lyme disease; short- and long-term treatment of Lyme disease; impact of the disease on daily living; access to diagnostic and treatment services, access to information about the disease, and recommendations for the government's role and response to Lyme disease in Rhode Island.

Those who wish to speak at the public meeting must register at the door. Written statements may also be submitted at the meetings or sent in advance to Dr. Patricia Nolan, director of the Rhode Island Department of Health, 401 Cannon Building, 3 Capitol Hill, Providence, Rhode Island, 02909-5097.

The 18-member commission is chaired by Almond's chief of staff, Joseph S. Larisa Jr., and includes the directors of the departments of health and environmental management.