NY senators propose steps against Lyme disease

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New York senators are proposing several measures to deal with tick-borne Lyme disease that appears to be spreading across the state.

The task force report cites 462 cases reported through the first week of June in New York and a recent federal estimate of 300,000 new cases annually with only a fraction actually reported.

The bacterial infection, usually treated with antibiotics, is spread through the bite of infected ticks that are often carried by mice or deer.

The report shows it has spread far north and west from initial outbreaks on Long Island and the Hudson Valley.

The task force recommends studying tick populations and killing agents, bait vaccines for mice, public education and research into its links to other diseases and deaths.
