Health Highlights: June 14, 2007

Mar. 23 -- Here are some of the latest health and medical news developments,compiled by editors of HealthDay:

Lyme Disease Cases Jump in U.S.

Reported cases of Lyme disease in the United States have more than doubled since 1991 and 93 percent of those cases have been reported in just 10 states, says this week's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In 1991, there were fewer than 10,000 reported cases of Lyme disease, which is transmitted primarily by ticks. By contrast during 2003-2005, there were 64,382 cases of Lyme disease reported in 46 states and the District of Columbia.

States with the most cases were: Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Wisconsin.

During 2003-2005, two age groups had the most cases of Lyme disease -- children ages 5-14 (10 cases per 100,000), and adults ages 55-64 (9.9 cases per 100,000).

Fever, headache, fatigue, and a skin rash can be among the early symptoms of Lyme disease. Left untreated, the infection can spread to the heart, joints, and nervous system.

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EPA Studying Air Emissions From Livestock

The first nationwide study of air emissions from dairy, poultry and swine animal feeding operations (AFOs) was announced Thursday by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

During the two-and-a-half-year, $14.6 million study, researchers from eight universities will measure levels of hydrogen sulfide, particulate matter, ammonia, nitrous oxide, volatile organic compounds, and other gases from livestock facilities.

The study will include 24 sites in nine states. The EPA says the findings will help it control emissions from AFOs.

"There has never been an agricultural air emissions study this comprehensive or long term," lead scientist Al Heber of Purdue University said in a prepared statement. "We don't know enough about what is being emitted into the atmosphere. This study will give the EPA the data it needs to make science-based decisions."