Tick Identification Pilot Program Act of 2025

HR 4979, the Tick Identification Pilot Program Act of 2025, allows the CDC to award grants to state health departments to create programs where residents can submit photos of ticks they encounter online. The programs must provide users with a tick species ID, disease risk estimate, and prevention advice within 72 hours, while tracking location, date, and environmental details of each encounter. States with high Lyme disease rates and strong implementation plans receive priority for funding. The initiative directly affects the public (especially in tick-prone areas) and state health agencies, focusing on improving early detection and public education through a centralized data system. The CDC will report annual data on program participation and outcomes to Congress from 2026-2029.