[who knows what evil?]

My understanding is that we are approaching 1000 reported cases of West Nile in the USA. Are there any DOCUMENTED cases of hildren contracting this virus? Futhermore; are there any DOCUMENTED cases of CHILDREN dying from West Nile?

[backhoe]

You raise a good question, and I can't answer it yet- I don't recall any children being affected in the reports I have seen- which is odd.

[hellinahandcart]

Are there any DOCUMENTED cases of hildren contracting this virus?

Yes, though I do not have the documentation. Teenagers, I believe.

Futhermore; are there any DOCUMENTED cases of CHILDREN dying from West Nile?

No. The only West Nile deaths have been among the elderly or immune-compromised. I think the youngest to die of the encephalitis was a 50-year-old man.

[hellinahandcart]

In other words, healthy people, be they young or old, can fight off the virus before it gets to the encephalitis point. Most will have no symptoms whatsoever. A small percentage will develop flulike symptoms. Out of that group, a few will develop encephalitis and possibly die.

It is a Bad Thing but just I can't see or even understand being terrified to go outdoors. 1000 cases in three years? We probably had more than a thousand lottery winners during that time, and we all know what the odds are that that any of us will be one of those...