Chris McKenna is reporting for The Fray a bill unanimously approved by the state Senate March 28, would direct state agencies to look at whether Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses can cause mental illness in infected patients. Sponsors of the measure include James Seward, an Otsego County Republican whose district includes part of Ulster County, and who serves on the Senate Task Force on Lyme and Tick-Borne Diseases. Seward said in a press release the task force held a hearing last August at which patients with tick-borne illnesses described their “battles with mood disorders, anxiety, depression and other mental health related issues.” The measure would direct the Office of Mental Hygiene and Department of Health to conduct a study examining whether infectious diseases and blood-borne pathogens can lead to mental ailments, and submit the results by Oct. 1, 2019. The Assembly has yet to vote on the bill. Read the full story at The Fray at HudsonValley [dot] com.