12 APRIL 1998. CALIFORNIA & NEW MEXICO: DISEASE

Al Hinman of CNN reports bubonic plague and other diseases may be added to California's effects of ENSO. Large populations of mosquitoes, produced after flooding, may lead to outbreaks of encephalitis. A ground squirrel population explosion east of Los Angeles in the mountains could lead to local outbreaks of plague. In New Mexico, increased numbers of rodents, responding to increased food following rain could lead to outbreaks of hanta virus.

Back to The 1997 El Niño/Southern Oscillation (ENSO 97-98)