Indeed, this summer’s outbreak–58 confirmed cases in Louisiana to go along with nine in Texas and 22 in Mississippi (as well as a pair of infected crows that showed up on the White House lawn)–is much worse than in 1999, when the virus first appeared here. Then, 62 confirmed cases led to seven deaths in New York City. But that was in September. This year, much of the mosquito season is still to come, and West Nile is spreading. “It’ll likely go coast to coast soon,” says John Roehrig at the Centers for Disease Control. And thousands may be unknowingly infected, since the virus produces symptoms in only 1 percent of victims.
But the other 99 percent aren’t in danger. And many people are unfazed. “I don’t know anyone who’s flipping out,” says Louisiana State University junior Chris Aymond, who noted only two people had died so far in Baton Rouge.
