Sneak-Attack Season.

The article discusses West Nile virus infection in Canada. Nancy Gall has one of those tough-as-nails Scottish constitutions that gets her through just about anything. Now 86, Gall had never been seriously ill until August 2002, when the Toronto woman with a love of gardening came down with what she thought might be a touch of the flu. Today, after an arduous and only partially successful recovery -- during which she almost died -- Gall is confined to a wheelchair, the surprised victim of the mysterious West Nile virus, courtesy of an infected mosquito. She and her son, Robert, are one of 42 families suing the provincial government, alleging it inadequately protected Ontarians against West Nile back in 2002. The risk of serious reaction increases with age, and is also higher among individuals with chronic ailments such as diabetes or heart disease, as well as those who are undergoing chemotherapy or are on immune-system suppressants. As of July 23, 74 birds in Ontario had tested positive for West Nile. Quebec had 19, Manitoba eight and Saskatchewan two. Alberta, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia found sick birds last year, but none yet this season. Only B.C., P.E.I. and Newfoundland have been infection-free on the bird front. No human case contracted in Canada has been found this year, though that could change anytime. The U.S. has already reported 182 human infections, most of them in California and Arizona, and five deaths. Many municipalities have fought the virus by spreading larvicides in catch basins during the spring.