With more than 20,000 deer on Long Island, health officials are expecting Nassau and Suffolk counties to have one of the worst seasons of Lyme disease cases on record. The State Department of Health says from 2004-2005 the number of cases of Lyme disease on the Island doubled. With an increase in the deer population that carries the tick responsible for spreading Lyme disease, officials only expect cases to rise. Officials estimate each deer can carry up to 1,000 ticks. Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) is calling for $100 million in funding for research and prevention.

Related Information: Southern Tick-Associated Rash Illness

Second-Hand Smoke Story: EPA's Smoke-free Homes Program