Posted by on May 20, 2002 at 13:30:12:
In attempting to detect a biological attack, one should watch for an outbreak of disease in an unusual distribution. West Nile Virus should generate some attention. It somehow appeared in 1999. Here is an exerpt from CNN:
West Nile encephalitis is an infection of the brain. The virus has historically been found in Africa, western Asia and the Middle East. But in 1999, it was documented for the first time in the Western Hemisphere, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Georgia.
West Nile virus was detected in the United States in 1999. In 2000, it was on the move, reported in several states. By last year, it spread as far south as Florida, as far west as Iowa. Since 1999's first appearance through 2001, it has severely infected 149 people and killed 18.
Has the possibility that this was intentionally introduced been evaluated? In light of "recent events", this does not seem far fetched to me. (Note, these are just my opinions.)
http://www.cnn.com/2002/HEALTH/conditions/05/16/west.nile.preview/index.html