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Insect-, bird-borne diseases remain a threat in state.

Article Excerpt
In 1878, Mississippi was hit with a "natural" disaster that, in terms of victims, far surpassed Hurricane Katrina. An outbreak of yellow fever led to hundreds of deaths in Mississippi (more than 4,000 nationwide), depopulated communities and widespread lawlessness and panic. The frightening part was that no one knew the source of the disease, and there was no cure.

Today, scientists know the source of yellow fever--mosquitoes--and there is a vaccine. But other insect-borne diseases are still a statewide health concern and have no known treatment. And now a bird-borne disease--avian flu--is taking center stage, and some health experts believe it could be the next pandemic.

The buzz about WNV

The insect-borne disease that has proven the deadliest in Mississippi over the last few years is West Nile virus (WNV). People bitten by infected mosquitoes develop flu-like symptoms. Occasionally, the illness can become severe, leading to potentially fatal encephalitis and meningitis.

According to...