West Nile Virus is a virus common to the Middle East. In 1999 a form of the virus common to Israel appeared in New York, killing hundreds of birds. This virus can also infect horses and humans. It can be fatal to immunocompromised individuals, and did result in the deaths of a few people in New York. It has been predicted that by the end of 2004 the virus will become endemic in all of the states except Alaska and Hawii. Based on the 2003 epidemic in Colorado and Wyoming, along with it's verified presence in sentinal herds in most states, that prediction will likely be proven accurate. West Nile  is currently under investigation by the Center for Disease Control and various other federal agencies. ABADRL is currently working on transmission mechanisms of the virus.

West Nile Presentation: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/conf/February_2004.htm