Group to brief Congress on West Nile

Experts say the mosquito-borne West Nile virus is spreading through the U.S. faster than expected.

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The U. S. Federal Coordinating Committee on West Nile Virus will brief members of Congress Monday about the swift expansion of the disease into the southern and midwestern regions of the United States and the emergence of "year-round biting mosquitos."

According to U. S. Geological Survey spokesman Butch Kinerney, the group will discuss the fact that people can be exposed to and catch the virus in all seasons. In the Florida Keys, for example, West Nile Virus may be seen year-round, he said.

Because the primary carriers are birds and because birds winter in the southern United States, Kinerney says, the virus could actually amplify during the winter months now and not taper off as in previous years.

Kinerney says the virus is spreading farther and faster than expected, and that it could be seen on the West Coast and in Mexico as early as next year.

Kinerney called this year's spread "very explosive," saying cases could pop up in Chicago, Detroit, Nebraska and Colorado.

The congressional briefing is today at 2:15 p.m. at the Capitol in Washington, DC.