West Nile virus crops up early

Indianopolis Star ^ | June 7, 2003 | Diana Penner

[FairOpinion]

The first mosquitoes of the year infected with the West Nile virus have been found on the Far Southside, and health officials say they're worried the discovery -- nearly two months earlier than last year -- could bode ill for the rest of the year.

[FairOpinion]

There are a couple of other articles too, seems to be cropping up all over:

Crows test positive for West Nile virus Published 6/5/2003 1:02 PM

http://www.upi.com/view.cfm?StoryID=20030605-125532-4211r

LINCOLN, Neb., June 5 (UPI) -- Health officials in Nebraska, Iowa and Illinois are stepping up mosquito abatement efforts after dead crows tested positive for West Nile virus.

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Washington County taking no new precautions after West Nile virus found in Benton County BY EMILY HUGHES Northwest Arkansas Times

http://nwanews.com/times/story_News.php?storyid=107451

Saturday, June 7, 2003

The second case this year of West Nile virus in Arkansas was confirmed in Benton County Thursday. A Benton County resident submitted a dead blue jay infected with the virus to the Benton County Health Department, officials said. "We’re not very surprised about that," said Anne Wright, spokeswoman for the Arkansas Department of Health. "We’re alert, but we’re not alarmed."

This was the first bird in the state killed by the virus. Arkansas’ first case of the year, a horse in Sebastian County, was discovered to be infected May 13.

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AND here is YET another virus:

West Nile wasn't cause of man's illness State epidemiologist looking into a related virus

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/125393_westnile06.html

By TOM PAULSON SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER REPORTER

The Franklin County man identified as possibly Washington's first human West Nile virus case is not, it turns out. But he may be the first case of St. Louis encephalitis here since 1972.

"They are related viruses with similar fatality rates," said Dr. Jo Hofmann, lead epidemiologist for the state Department of Health.

[Beck_isright]

LOL, that's a joke. Try living down here in Florida where the critters get landing clearance lights before they bite you. This is going to be a bad year down here as we've finally broken our drought and every place where lakes were gone are now back. If you are a Florida resident, and not a native, I suggest you stay indoors from 6:30-9:00 P.M. every night. Otherwise douse yourself in bug spray. This is not going to be a good year down here.

[Pro-Bush]

DEET, it works!

[FairOpinion]

Great chart. Thanks.

[backhoe]

West Nile Virus- some basic information--

West Nile Virus- Bring Back DDT?

[Ditter]

If you get any kind of a rash after using bug spray with DEET, wash with soap, use a hydrocordisone cream & call your doctor. Some people are VERY allergic to DEET. Do NOT spray your face or breathe the spray. Be careful using it on kids.