It’s bad enough that Louisiana Senator Mary Landrieu wants the Air Force to use special operations squadrons to spray insecticide in mosquito-infested areas to combat the West Nile Virus. The Air Force!

But now officials are even talking about using chickens as "early detection systems" to warn people when the virus has spread to new areas.

Look, I’m all for sparing as many people as possible the inconvenience of this disease--within limits. But there’ve only been seven confirmed human deaths from West Nile Virus, and we’re talking thousands of mosquitoes and hundreds of birds. What gives us the right to kill innocent animals, especially when it requires so many animal deaths to prevent a single human death?

Besides, according to Janet McConnaughey of the Associated Press, "Most people bitten by an infected mosquito will suffer no more than flu-like symptoms…."

Just wear long sleeves and use an organic, non-lethal bug repellent. Chances are you won’t get bitten by a mosquito, much less catch anything.