After reading this thread I'm convinced 2011 could be the worst year for Lyme Disease in the last few decades. I think it's a combination of the thing's. First, the increasing Tick population. Why it's increasing so much I haven't a clue. Second would be the very wet Fall & Winter and mild temperatures.

The Tick problem in PA and NY has been steadily growing the last decade. As other's have mentioned it's really getting bad and lot's of people are sick. Area's endemic for Lyme Disease are no longer just on the East Coast but right here in PA and NY. Thousand's of people each year (approximately 4,000-5,000 annually in Ny & PA) are being officially documented as being infected with Lyme by the CDC. In Pa & NY it's estimated only about 10% of Lyme cases get reported. How many other thousand's fall through the crack's and arn't diagnosed is anyones guess.

IXODES DEER TICK'S are small with the back half of their body a burnt orange color. The Nymph's in the Spring and early Summer are extremely small most would never noticed one attached. In many area's Deer ARE NOT the primary host for Tick's it's small rodent's like Mice, Chipmunk's, etc.

Anyone that has a tick attachment history need's to be on guard for Lyme Disease and possible Co-Infections like Babesiosis, Bartonella and Ehrlichiosis. Any Rash, not just a bullseye, is suspect of infection. Research over the last 30 year's has proven some of the Myth's about Lyme Disease are just that. Only 10-30% of people with Lyme ever get the typical Erythema Migran's bullseye rash.