Binghamton University to co-sponsor Lyme Disease Conference

Binghamton University and Southern Tier Lyme Support, Inc. are co-sponsoring a Lyme Disease Conference from 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, May 5, at the Innovative Technologies Complex, 85 Murray Hill Rd., Vestal. This event is free and open to the public, but registration is required at www.southerntierlymesupport.org.

Lyme disease is becoming a serious epidemic nationwide. It is the number one vector-borne disease in the United States, infecting over 300,000 people each year. This disease is affecting a significant amount of families and communities in New York’s Southern Tier.

The conference will feature Binghamton University Lyme disease researchers Ralph Garruto and Amanda Roome. Robert Giguere from IgeneX, Inc. will discuss lab testing of Lyme Disease. The conference will also include presentations from internationally recognized physicians Dr. Ronald Stram and Dr. Richard Horowitz.

“Upstate New York is not immune to the emergence of Lyme disease, and raising community awareness through this conference is an important part of our mission to serve the communities in which we live,” said Garruto, professor of biomedical anthropology and member of the National Academy of Sciences. “There are people in our own communities who are contracting the disease and, in some cases, suffering significantly. At Binghamton, we are approaching the problem from the ground up — from the ecological and biological aspects of the disease to the human impact.”

Southern Tier LYME Support (STLS) was created to provide education and awareness about Lyme and tick-borne diseases. Its primary goals are to inform the public about Lyme and other tick-borne diseases, their symptoms, available testing, and types of treatment and prevention. STLS works closely with the Binghamton University Lyme and Other Tick-Borne Diseases Research Team to understand the complex interaction of factors, including habitat and environmental conditions, reservoir, vector, host interactions, and human demographics and behaviors that put people at risk for infection. The volunteer organization relies on the generous support of the community, business partners, donors and support group members. All proceeds are used for education, awareness and prevention of Lyme and tick-borne diseases​.

Vendors will exhibit at the conference, and doors will be open until 7 p.m. to allow ample time for attendees to visit tables and hear all of the speakers.

Attendees will have the opportunity to submit questions. For more information, and to register for the free event, go to www.southerntierlymesupport.org.