[RobRoy]

This is the first I've heard of it. I thought you were talking about an epidemic of something by the Nile River.

'Course, we dumped tv over five years ago. This is just an unanticipated benefit.

Oh, and based on what you posted, I don't want to hear about it. 8^>

[templar]

You're right. I've been wondering why the big scare hype in the media. Like the anthrax scare. Neither of these events seem to justify any fear on the average persons part, and I doubt that hardly anyone would be worried about it if the media wasn't constantly telling them to be worried. Wonder why?

[The Duke]

Hey, my middle kid and I just figure it'll keep the city slickers scared away from our top secret fishin' holes!

Pass the West Nile please, and I'll take a side helping of Ebola to go with that!

[laconic]

I agree; certainly not to minimize the impact on the victims, but it appears that all those who have died so far had severely compromised immune systems. People in this weak state can die of a common cold.

[lelio]

The local FOX affliate around here lead with a story last night of WEST NILE IN EASTERN WASHINGTON!!! Turns out that some just stepped of a plane from Louisiana and had a mild case of it. But if you didn't listen for that part you'll think that people were keeling over.
If it bleeds (from a mosquito bite) it leads I suppose.

[Dog Gone]

The press is dumb, and they run in packs. St. Louis encephalitis is almost identical, is spread by mosquitoes, and kills people in this country, too.

However, it's been around forever, so it doesn't sell newspapers or titillate reporters.

[eastforker]

Well,I'm just getting over what the doc said was probably WNV,cost me a week of work,and it wasn't comfortable either.Say what you will,it will cost some their lives,other discomfort,for me it was no fun,except I got to stay home and play on FR for a week.

[Redcloak]

Repeat after me: "Slow news day."

[backhoe]

West Nile Virus- Bring Back DDT?

[537 Votes]

Once upon a time, there were only five American 'advisors' in Viet Nam, and once upon a time, there were only five AIDS victims. Geometric progressions have a way of getting out of hand, real fast.

[xrp]

So 7 people over about 2 weeks of media hype. Let's see, during the same amount of time about 11,500 people have died of heart disease (assuming roughly 300,000/year) yet the media doesn't harp on this. That's more than 3 WTC attacks! 14 days!

It comes down to being prepared. If you're in a mosquito area, use repellent. Also, try to keep healthy so your immune system can fight something like this off.

[andy_card]

I've started seeing dead crows all over my neighborhood this summer, including two in my front yard. If this thing can noticeably reduce crow populations, maybe it isn't so bad after all...