RI lawmakers to examine tick-borne illness

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - Rhode Island lawmakers are taking a look at the latest statistics on tick-borne illness in the state.

The Senate health and environment committees are scheduled to meet Wednesday with experts on Lyme disease and other diseases carried by ticks.

The committees will receive presentations from Janet Coit, director of the state’s Department of Environmental Management, and Thomas Mather, director of the Center for Vector-Borne Disease at the University of Rhode Island.

Last year the center at URI detected record numbers of tick nymphs at sites around Rhode Island.

The lawmakers will also discuss efforts to educate the public about the threat of tick-borne illnesses and ways to prevent their spread.