Thursday, September 16, 20(
News 3A Road safety dis-
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Magazine explores Ann Arbor's retro communities ... Page 6B
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141-78
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One-hundred-thrteen years ofedtorialfreedom
ww.michigandady.com Ann Arbor, Michigan m Vol. CXIII, No. 162 c2004 The Michigan Daily
West Nile
virus
found
on
Dead crow found infected
A
my Karen Tee
For the Daily
A dead crow found on Observatory Street and East Medi-
al Center Drive last week has tested positive for the West
Nile virus.
* It's the first infected animal found on campus although a
blue jay found within the Ann Arbor city limits also tested
positive for the virus in August.
Four other birds and two horses infected with the dis-
ease have also been found throughout Washtenaw County.
Although these discoveries prove that the West Nile virus
is circulating among Michigan's bird community, which
originally caught the disease, local authorities say there is
no cause for worry.
Laura Bauman, an epidemiologist at Washtenaw County
Public Health, said, "We know that the West Nile virus has
been circulating in the county since the end of June when
the first dead bird was found. However on a positive note,
there have been no reported human cases in Washtenaw
County this year."
The West Nile virus is a mosquito-borne virus that can
cause mild illness or severe inflammation of the brain such
as meningitis or encephalitis. The virus is mainly trans-
mitted to humans through mosquitoes that have fed on
infected birds.
Precautions should be taken to prevent mosquito bites, as
infections are still possible through September and Octo-
ber until the first frost, when the mosquitoes leave for the
season.
In fact, Bauman said this is the time to start taking extra
precautions as the mosquitoes that are most efficient in trans-
mitting the virus are most active from August onwards.
Robert Winfield, director of University Health Services,
advised students to be careful, especially when they are "out
at the time when mosquitoes are out, usually dusk, in rural
areas, the Arb and other moist areas."
According to a statement released by Diane Brown,
spokeswoman for Facility and Operations, recommended
precautions include wearing long-sleeved pants and shirts,
and to use insect repellent containing DEET, an insect
repellent.
Chances of becoming severely ill from any bite are small
as few mosquitoes are infected with the virus even in areas
where the virus is known to exist.
Eighty percent of people who become infected with the
West Nile virus show no symptoms at all, and 20 percent
:ampus
experience mild flu-like symptoms such as fever and rashes,
termed West Nile Fever. Less than 1 percent of those infected
fall severely ill, and the risk of a severe infection is highest
among infants, children and those older than 50 years.
LSA sophomore Harriet Fung said students should take
heed of the advice to avoid mosquito bites even though
nobody has been infected yet. She lives in Los Angeles,
where there was an outbreak of the virus over the summer.
"I think students should start taking precautions because
we are out in the open all the time," she said. "But most
probably won't take notice unless thousands of birds sud-
denly drop dead overnight."
The virus, which originated in Uganda's made its first
American appearance in New York City in the summer of
1999. The virus then spread westward, showing up in Mich-
igan three summers ago.
In 2002, 644 human cases and 51 deaths occurred in
See VIRUS, Page 8A
Students hospitalized
after using CCRB
By Ashley Dinges
Daily Staff Reporter
After a University student suffered severe shock at the
Central Campus Recreation Building last weekend, the
University has taken the precautionary step of removing
cleaning solution and towels used in the building, said
Diane Brown, spokeswoman for the Department of Occu-
pational Safety and Environmental Health.
The female student, who suffered an episode of anaphy-
lactic shock that can be linked to allergies, was taken from
the CCRB to the University Hospital Saturday night.
"We have no clear-cut evidence to tie it to the rec build-
ing, but as a precaution we are going through the investi-
gative steps. Part of the interview said she had come into
contact with several things at the CCRB, including the
solution and towel," Brown said.
OSEH was brought in to begin an investigation after a
second person reported similar symptoms, Brown said.
But after numerous attempts by OSEH to make contact
"in multiple ways," Brown said the department has been
unable to reach the person.
Until OSEH can certify that more than one person suf-
fered similar symptoms after an encounter at the CCRB,
they cannot confirm that the illness is related to the vic-
tim's trip to the building, Brown said.
But as a precautionary measure, towels and cleaning
* solution have been replaced at the CCRB and North Cam-
pus Recreation Building.
Anaphylactic shock can occur when an individual has a
severe allergy, but Brown said OSEH cannot release health
details about the victim, such as allergy information.
"You would think that if something were directly attrib-
utable to the CCRB, you would have many more people
who were having a problem. At the same token, we did
have a report, so we're doing an investigation," Brown
said.
"We take the reports seriously. But we do have to have
some sort of pattern to be able to make a definitive conclu-
sion," she added.
"There are so many people who come into that building,
As a precautionary measure,
towels and cleaning solution
were removed from the CCRB.
there are going to be those types of accidents or problems
that happen at some point while they're there," said Webb,
who also serves as building director of the CCRB.
Deb Webb, senior associate of Recreational Sports
explained that in a situation like this, "Risk Management
will contact OSEH and they will come in and check in the
building, and work very closely with them and get feed-
back about what they think about the situation."
Because OSEH recommended the removal of the clean-
ing solutions, Webb said they have all been removed from
the CCRB and North Campus Recreation Building. Solu-
tion has not been removed from the Intramural Sports
Building because the facility uses a different product.
In case of a medical emergency, Webb said all student
supervisors are trained in first aid, CPR and the use of
automated external defibrillator devices. If a visitor feels
sick while exercising, Webb said they can contact staff at
the desk or in the equipment rooms.
Kinesiology senior Meg Bachelor, who works at the
CCRB in an equipment room, said she deals with minor
injuries like cuts but would direct a more serious injury to
building supervisors.
"When I'm working at the main entrance I see more of
it, because you know, people twist an ankle playing bas-
ketball. That's about all I see. I never really see anyone
needing crutches. Usually people just ask for ice for some-
thing," Bachelor said.
The CCRB has undergone recent renovations, specifi-
cally to its cardiovascular exercise rooms on the lower
level. Webb said no connection has been made between
the building's renovations and Saturday's incident. She
estimated about $400,000 has been put into the building
during the renovations, which she said are expected to be
complete by early October.
LSA freshman Stephanie Canning works out on a stationary bike at the Central Campus Recreational Building
yesterday afternoon.
Kerry blasts Bush for debt and job
losses during speech in Detroit
Michigan juniors Larry Fogel, Sandi Kronzec and Hank Stricter congre-
gate at University Hillei for Rosh Hashanah.
Jewish students
By Farayha Arrine
and Karl Stampfl
Daily Staff Reporters
Detroit's Cobo Hall played host to Democratic pres-
idential candidate John Kerry for the second year in a
row as Kerry laid out his economic plan to the Detroit
Economic Club yesterday morning.
Touching on topics such as outsourcing, tax relief
and healthcare, Kerry offered most of the same details
he had highlighted during the Democratic primaries
and also provided insight into his proposals on the fed-
eral deficit and health care.
He blamed the Bush administration for leading the
country into deep debt and said he would work to cut
the deficit in half.
To accomplish his goal, Kerry said he would begin
by eliminating corporate welfare - tax laws that give
breaks to large corporations. He also suggested cutting
government programs that have outlived their purpos-
es, eliminating bureaucratic position added over the
last three years and downsizing 100,000 unnecessary
contractors.
"We believe it's time for Washington to live within
a budget just like you do," he said.
Student expla
By Farayha Arrine
Daily Staff Reporter
Ever since President Bush took office, a $5.6 trillion said.
surplus left by former President Clinton has turned Kerry revealed details of his health care plan,
into trillions of dollars of debt, Kerry said. The cur- including legislation that he says would lead to lower
rent national debt is $7.3 trillion. premiums by up to a $ 1,000. To combat the rising cost
"This President has added more to the deficit than of child care, he plans to offer a tax credit of $1,000,
every president from George Washington to Ronald although he did not specify additional detw to the
Reagan combined," he added. bli plan.
Gov. Jennifer Granholm "W e beleve it's time Throughout his speech, Kerry
- who introduced Kerry . wove a theme of an "excuse
- described the audience he for W ashington to presidency," saying Bush points
addressed as historically con- at war and recession too often
servative but asked that they live within a budget to excuse the current economic
listen to the candidate with an just like ou do." condition of the county.
open mind.u* "This president has created
University Regent Andrew more excuses than jobs," Kerry
Richner (R-Grosse Park Point), -John Kerry said. "His is the excuse presiden-
who was present at the event Democratic presidential candidate cy: never wrong, never respon-
and also was a delegate at the sible, Never to Blame. President
Republican National Conven- Bush's desk isn't where the buck
tion in New York City, said stops - it's where the blame
Kerry had the wrong answer begins."
for the economy. Elisabeth Burton Walker, an 82-year-old Southfield
"Kerry is taking a page out of the Clinton playbook resident, said she supports Kerry because she doesn't
and creating a false sense of economic misery," he See KERRY, Page 8A
Icelebrate new year
By Justin Miller
and Leah Guttman
Daily Staff Reporters
Rosh Hashanah, which begins a 10
day period of repentance known as
the Days of Awe and the Jewish New
Year, started at sundown yesterday
and will end at sunup tomorrow.
"Rosh Hashanah is a festive day,
yet it does not resemble the celebra-
A tion of the secular New Year," said
of the coming Days of Awe.
Some Jewish students will have
their classes cancelled. Unlike other
University classes, no Judaic Stud-
ies classes will be held during Rosh
Hashanah as professors teaching those
classes and most of their students will
be observing the holiday themselves.
For other University courses, students
who choose to miss class must pro-
vide advanced notice of their absence
s
~ns why he war
Since the 2000 elections, the Green Party has
nominated students as candidates for the University
Board of Regents. In the 2002 elections, University
alum Sarah Fawcett ran as the Green Party nominee
was the protests last year. People say that students
may have over-demanded, but the (student affairs
budget) wouldn't have changed if it hadn't been for
the student participation.
TMD: If you win, what direction would you like
to see the University take?
ND: I would like to focus on labor issues - I
its regent spot
very much in favor of the routine evaluations of
the administration with the results reported to the
regents.
TMD: Have you been involved with SOLE as a
student?
ND: I was involved with the pickets at Borders.
That's my limited involvement with SOLE. I am
L