Washington (H24N). While the wonders of modern life have connected more areas of the globe and made life more convenient, scientists argue these perks are also increasing the rate of infection.

West Nile virus is a case in point, Marci Layton, Ph.D., of the New York City Health Department, told an audience at the American Society for Microbiology (ASM) meeting in Toronto.

Before 1999, the West Nile virus had never been seen in the Western Hemisphere. Now researchers suspect an infected traveler, or perhaps an imported infected bird or that a mosquito may have gotten onto an international flight and brought the virus here.

Other researchers at the ASM meeting also point out that the increase in travel and the importation of foods from around the world increase the chances of transporting viruses and bacteria to places they were previously unknown. Cindy Friedman with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says an increase in imported foods parallels an increase in food poisoning outbreaks. And these outbreaks, Friedman says, are getting larger and covering more territory.

For example, in the 1970s an average of four people got sick from a single food poisoning incident. In the 1990s, that number rose to 40 people.

Salmonella, cyclospora and newer, more toxic strains of E. coli are of the biggest concern now, researchers say. Another problem facing health care providers is that these new bugs are becoming more resistant to current medications, making them more difficult to treat.

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