I remember reading last summer about the problems the middle east was having with Rift Valley fever. Seems like the sort of scurge that if someone wanted to introduce something weird here in the U.S., RVF would be on the list.

http://www.boston.com/dailynews/134/world/Rift_Valley_fever_kills_124_in:.shtml

Rift Valley fever kills 124 in Saudi Arabia

By Associated Press, 5/14/2001 12:40

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) Rift Valley fever has killed 124 people in Saudi Arabia since September, the official Saudi news agency reported Monday.

A Health Ministry report said 760 of the 884 people who have been infected with the mosquito-borne virus have recovered. Most of the deaths occurred late last year, the Saudi Press Agency said.

Experts from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are working with Saudi officials to bring the virus under control.

The virus is transmitted from livestock to humans by mosquitoes and causes diarrhea, nausea, and internal bleeding that can result in death. It can be treated with the drug ribavarin.

-- Anonymous, May 15, 2001