Why Not Let Africa Use DDT To Fight Malaria?
The West Nile virus has the potential to spread over most of America, says New York state wildlife pathologist Ward Stone. “Three years from now, I think it’ll be over most all of the country.” With it could come the risk that American children and seniors will die of virus-related brain infections such as encephalitis and meningitis. That’s why planes are misting the air near the nation’s capital with pesticides, and helicopters swoop over New York’s Central Park. They are hoping to kill mosquitoes carrying the new-to-America virus. Seven Americans died of it last year. At least 39 Romanians died in a 1998 outbreak. Doctors say the disease is often mild, but can kill the weak or elderly. The West Nile virus successfully over-wintered and is being found in eight different U.S. mosquito species, 60 types of American birds, and a lengthening list of mammals including chipmunks, raccoons and bats. “We’re going to spray,” was the response of Montgomery County council president, Michael Sub
