West Nile season reveals rash of polio-like cases

BERKELEY, Calif. -- Federal health officials said this year's West Nile season has revealed weaknesses in a test used to screen the nation's blood supply for the disease, and that the illness has caused nearly two dozen cases of paralysis among previously healthy adults.

This year's outbreak of the mosquito-borne illness, which has been particularly bad in the Great Plains and some Western states, has infected 5,861 people and killed 115.

Officials of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Thursday that a screening test used since July cannot detect all donated blood units infected with the virus.

The government said the test has potentially protected thousands of people, flagging 617 infected blood donors. But the test, which screens samples in a pool of multiple blood units, loses its sensitivity in the diluted mix.

Graham: Decision soon on White House bid

WASHINGTON -- Democrat Bob Graham said Saturday he soon will decide the future of his presidential campaign, but would not say whether he is considering quitting the race.

"We are looking at strategies to be the next president of the United States of America," Graham repeated each time a reporter asked whether he might end his 2004 bid.

Graham spoke to reporters after addressing party activists at the Democratic National Committee's fall meeting. It was his first public appearance after meeting with advisers for two days to discuss options for his cash-strapped bid.

16 sex assault suspects still on military duty

DENVER -- Sixteen Air Force Academy graduates accused of rape or sexual assault while attending the school are still on active duty in the U.S. military, the Air Force said.

A total of 18 cadets accused of sex crimes between 1993 and 2002 were allowed to graduate, Lt. Col. Dewey Ford said Saturday. One has died and another left the Air Force, he said.

Ford said one of the 15 Air Force officers is still under investigation in an alleged assault. One academy graduate went into the Army.

Of the 16, one officer was acquitted at a court-martial and one was absolved after his accuser recanted. None of the officers' names was released.

Ford could not provide exact numbers but said some of the other 12 officers serving in the Air Force had been disciplined for the alleged misconduct while still at the academy.

-- From wire reports