[Mitchell]

Have there been any studies as to whether these occurrences of West Nile virus in the DC area represent continuing spread from the original New York outbreak? Or might they represent a second introduction of the virus?

I do recall some earlier speculation that there might have been more than one introduction of the virus earlier, since it seemed to be spreading linearly, along a major freeway, rather than equally in all directions. This suggested that, in fact, it wasn't "spreading" along the freeway but that somebody might be driving, releasing it along the way. I don't know whether the evidence really bears this out, though.

[aristeides]

A couple of dead crows found in the parking lot behind my apartment house in Takoma Park last year tested positive for West Nile. My apartment house is about two miles from Walter Reed.

[okie01]

"Have there been any studies as to whether these occurrences of West Nile virus in the DC area represent continuing spread from the original New York outbreak? Or might they represent a second introduction of the virus?"

As you, I retain suspicions as to the introduction of this virus. Could it represent a "test", to determine how fast it spreads and how we react to it?

If so, what other diseases are spread by the same vectors, I wonder...?