What: A nationwide press conference via the Internet and telephone with USGS researchers studying the West Nile Virus.

• Learn how the virus is on the move and could affect other parts of the country.
• Discover what other species are affected (it�s more than just crows) and what that means for combating the virus.
• Discuss new field work beginning Monday, October 2, in New York and New Jersey.
• Find out how the USGS and the National Atlas are mapping West Nile cases to help health officials plan for handling new outbreaks.

Who: Dr. Robert McLean, Director, USGS National Wildlife Health Center, Madison, Wisconsin.
Dr. Stephen Guptill, USGS senior research physical scientist and an expert in the mapping of infectious diseases, Reston, Virginia.

When: Friday, Sept. 29 at 1 p.m. EDT, conference will repeat at 2 p.m. EDT.

How: Reporters must call Butch Kinerney at 703-648-4732 to register for a time slot by noon Friday. The conferences will be the same, but space is limited to 40 participants per time slot.

At your scheduled time, call the conference line at 703-648-4848 and wait several seconds for instructions. Enter code 11136.

At the same time, log into the concurrent USGS conference website at http://usgs.contigo.com; register as an attendee; and enter conference name GScbell. Due to the large number of participants and questions, attendees will be able to signal their desire to ask a question in the internet chat room and then be recognized by the moderator.

If you have problems, call 703-648-4460.

Note: B-roll video of USGS West Nile Virus bird capture and testing in New York and New Jersey will be available through ABC, NBC, CBS and Fox affiliates in Washington, DC. Digital still photographs for print will be available through the USGS website.

Contact: Butch Kinerney
Email: [email protected]
Address: 119 National Center
Reston, VA 20192
Phone: 703-648-4732
Fax: 703-648-4466