NODAK NEWS - National News Stories
I Don't Think We're in Kansas Anymore-

West Nile Virus sweeps west, avoids Kansas.
Thursday, July 12, 2002.

By Scott Wells

     As the summer moves on, human cases of West Nile Virus have spread across the country, all the way to the Midwest, and even in California. But noticeably absent in its wake is the state of Kansas.
     The fact that the virus has decided to leave Kansas out of it's path has raised some serious questions in the Kansas Department of Tourism.
     "North and South Dakota have smaller human populations than Kansas, yet they both have been visited by the virus. Why? Because their tourism bureaus spend money for national television advertising, unlike Kansas," said Mary Gillian, head of tourism.

    "That's ridiculous," Governor Bill Graves said.  "Viruses don't watch TV."
    Some residence have their own opinions on why the virus hasn't been found in there state.  "If you look, both North Carolina and West Virginia have had no human cases, and just like Kansas, they're armpits of the US," said Kansas resident Mike Polard.  "Or maybe the virus is taking pity on us, because hey, we have to live in Kansas."
     "It's pretty simple," Mike's friend David Tuvary said.  "Not even a virus wants to go to Kansas.  And I can't say I blame it."

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