Every summer and fall, parts of the U.S. are stricken by outbreaks of encephalitis, or inflammation of the brain, caused by insect-borne viruses. But this year's outbreak may prove to be the worst in a decade. Hundreds of suspected cases of St. Louis encephalitis (SLE)* have been reported by health officials in Alabama, Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, Indiana, Missouri, North Dakota, Kentucky, Tennessee, Ohio and New Jersey. The disease has reached epidemic proportions in two other states. In Mississippi, encephalitis has afflicted some 200 people and killed more than 30. In Illinois, the disease has struck more than 100, and is suspected...
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