Frogleg:

West Nile virus is carried by mosquitoes and affects many species,
incl. humans. It can be fatal. This isn't (much) justification for
wholesale pesticide spraying or (has anyone actually suggested this?!)
draining all wetlands, but it is *not* an inconsequential problem.

Draining of all wetlands, probably not, but there is a real trend to drain
"swamps" around human habitation because of West Nile. The problem is it's
an infectious disease that can spread, so control is an issue, but I do
think we lose perspective on this type of issue and that leads to bad
decisions for people and wildlife. For example 284 people died in the US
last year due to WNV, not inconsequential. But by comparison 76 million
Americans suffer from food poisoning each year and over 5,200 die. The odds
of any one of us dying from heart attack, cancer or stroke are about 60%
(greater than 1.4 million Americans per year). (Stats. from the CDC
website). I appreciate your concern. My point is let's not lose our
ability to enjoy the things that are invaluable--like our gardens, the
outdoors--because of something that is far less likely to affect us than
many many things that never make the news; and lets use due caution in our
approach, because the solutions can be worse than the problem we are trying
to solve, and just as dangerous in the long run.

You're right, there are few simple solutions.

--
Bill C. )`
New Brunswick, Canada
45º 3' 0"N 66º 54' 0"W