The following words and phrases when used in this act shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

“Department.” The Department of Health of the Commonwealth.

“Health care professional.” A licensed physician, a physician's assistant, a certified registered nurse practitioner or other licensed health care professional.

“Lyme disease.” The clinical diagnosis of a patient by a licensed physician, physician's assistant or certified registered nurse practitioner of the presence of signs or symptoms compatible with acute, late-stage, persistent infection with Borrelia burgdorferi or complications related to such infection or with such other strains of Borrelia that are recognized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as a cause of Lyme disease. The term includes infection that meets the surveillance criteria established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other acute and persistent manifestations of such an infection as determined by a physician.

“Related tick-borne illness.” A case of Bartonella, babesiosis/piroplasmosis, anaplasmosis, ehrlichiosis or other tick-transmissible illness. The term does not include Lyme disease.

“Secretary.” The Secretary of Health of the Commonwealth.

“State officials.” The term includes the Secretary of Environmental Protection of the Commonwealth.

“Task force.” The task force established by this act.