"Melissa" virus mutates, causes problems for Iowa business

That fast-spreading computer virus called “Melissa” is far from dead and thebattle to kill it is escalating in Iowa today. The virus has shape-shiftedinto several new versions that are re-infecting computer systems across thenation. Kelly Chamberlain, technology center director at Pioneer Hi-bredInternational in Des Moines, says the virus first appeared there Friday & inno time, generated up to 20-thousand bogus e-mails before the system couldbe shut down. He says the virus did not manipulate data or try to upload anyconfidential files.Pioneer has had to shut down its computer system again today due to themutated virus attacks. Chamberlain says the virus hatchlings are acting muchlike the original Melissa.The F-B-I is trying to track down whoever unleashed the virus — which isconsidered the most rapid-spreading in internet history.