“Hidden” Utah West Nile Cases
David Bradshaw528796965435-753-6204davbradshaw@cc.usu.edu
The Sept 10th issue of the Statesman mentioned that Utah has seen no Human cases of West Nile Virus- but there have been at least three!
The article stated the Virus was found in a sentinel chicken in Carbon County. Specifically, it was in the town of Wellington, where my parents live. In early August, my Sister, from Farmington, New Mexico, visited my parent’s for two weeks. At the same time, the media reported the Virus had surfaced in Carbon County. Later, two of my sister’s children- a 5 year old boy and 8 year old girl were showing symptoms of the virus. Doctors diagnosed it as West Nile. The New Mexico Department of Health refused a blood test to confirm the diagnosis, since the virus was contracted in Utah.
Both children suffered continuous migraine headaches, stiffness of the neck, and soreness in muscles throughout their entire body. The 5 year old had these symptoms for about one week, the 8 year old for three weeks. Thankfully, they did not show the more serious complications of the virus and have fully recovered.
A man from Emery County donated blood around the same time and was later called by the Red Cross and told to see his doctor because he had contracted the West Nile Virus.
The cases of my sister’s children were reported to the Carbon County Department of Health, but no further action was taken. Apparently, a case must be “confirmed” by a blood test. These tests are only given as complications from the Virus neccesitate hospitalization. Even with many people being diagnosed with the Virus, Carbon and Emery County Health Departments aren’t saying anything about it.
I was home visiting 1-2 weeks before my sister and may have been exposed to or contracted the virus myself, having experienced what could be termed as mild West-Nile-like symptoms for approximately one week- but then again, that can’t be confirmed, because I was never hospitalized, and find a $1000 blood test a bit beyond my reach.