PATAKI WARNS OF LYME DISEASE PREVALENCE.(CAPITAL REGION)

Byline: NEKESA MUMBI MOODY Associated Press

ALBANY -- Gov. George Pataki, who once had Lyme disease himself, warned New Yorkers Friday that the tick-borne ailment may be even more prevalent this summer than in past years.

The parasites that cause Lyme disease may be especially common this summer season because of New York's mild, wet winter, said Dr. Barbara DeBuono, the state's health commissioner.

``Ticks that normally die during severe winters survived this one, and as a result, the tick population in booming,'' she said. ``With more ticks around this spring and summer, there is an increased risk of being bitten, and infected with Lyme disease or …