Aren't the first places where the disease appeared in the country the NYC and D.C. areas?
NICE TRY at giving this conspiracy theory a boost counselor ...
In the summer and fall of 1999, the first cases ever of WN virus infection occurred in the northeastern United States. The original eight diagnosed cases, all previously healthy adults between the ages of 58 and 85, were found to be within a four-mile area of Queens, New York.From: http://www.healthyarkansas.com/news/Hometown/2001/news_0101_fc.html
Local Health Watch : West Nile VirusFrom: http://www.nyjournalnews.com/lifestyles/health/westnile/index.shtmIn the late summer of 1999, New York City health officials began tracking an outbreak of what appeared to be St. Louis encephalitis, a sometimes fatal viral disease.A few weeks later, several cases of the same illness were reported in the northern suburbs.
At the same time, reports of dead birds began filtering in to public health authorities. When more than 50 crows died in and around the Bronx Zoo, a pathologist there grew suspicious.
It turned out that the disease which killed the crows -- and which was transmitted to people by mosquitos -- was not common encephalitis. At first, it was identified as a "West Nile- like" virus. Eventually, scientists confirmed that it was indeed the West Nile virus, a form of encephalitis never before seen in the Western Hemisphere.
The Journal News has been reporting on the progress of the disease, and on efforts to control mosquitoes, since the first cases became known. A selection of those stories, recording the progress made in identifying the disease and some of the steps taken to combat it,is available on this page.