sand flies; they include such agents as yellow fever and eastern, western, and Venezuelan equine encephalitis viruses.

Arthralgia: (Joint pain) or stiffness without joint swelling (http://wonder.cdc.gov/wonder/help/vaers/reportable.htm).

Arthropod: As used in this report, refers to insects and ticks, many of which are medically important as vectors of infectious diseases.

Arthropod-borne: Capable of being transmitted by insect and tick (arthropod) vectors.

Asymptomatic: Presenting no symptoms of disease.

Autopsy: Systematic examination of the body of a deceased person by a qualified pathologist. The body is inspected for the presence of disease or injury; specimens of the vital organs and/or body fluids may be taken for microscopic, chemical, or other tests.

Bacteria: Microscopic, single-celled organisms that have some biochemical and structural features different from those of animal and plant cells.

Biological weapons: A harmful biological agent (such as a pathogenic microorganism or a neurotoxin) used as a weapon to cause death or disease usually on a large scale (http://www.merriam-webster.com).

Biota: The animal and plant life of a given region (http://www.epa.gov/OCEPAterms/bterms.html).

Bioterrorism: Terrorism involving use of biological warfare agents (as disease causing viruses or herbicides).

Botulism: A rare but serious paralytic illness caused by a nerve toxin. Symptoms of botulism include double vision, blurred vision, drooping eyelids, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, dry mouth, and muscle weakness. The illness can cause paralysis, respiratory failure, and death (http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Fact_Sheets/Frozen_Fully_Cooked_Products_&_Botulism/index.asp).

Bushmeat: Wildlife species which are hunted in the “bush,” or forests (http://www.wcs-congo.org/01ecosystemthreats/02bushmeat/104whatisbushmeat.html).