Jack Raney again

rticle Published: Saturday, July 23, 2005 - 9:53:22 PM PST
Victim gives West Nile warning, Virus infects without bias

By L.C. Greene
Staff Writer

ONTARIO - Jack Raney told of his near-death battle with West Nile virus for the umpteenth time Saturday, but this time, he appeared markedly stronger and more self-assured.

Recovery is brutally slow, though, and the 46-year-old Upland man admits he's far from recovered.

Speaking at a West Nile virus town hall meeting, Raney warned that infected mosquitoes can bite anyone, and anyone can get sick.

"All of you are at risk," he said.

Almost a year ago, the former bricklayer lay in a coma and breathing on a respirator at the Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center. The mosquito-borne viral infection was ravaging his brain and spinal cord.

Raney came out of the coma after four days and began the long recovery process.

"I had to learn how to walk again," he said.

One arm was partially paralyzed and remains weak. The damage to Raney's central nervous system left him unable to work, depressed and emotionally frail.

Resuming the role of family breadwinner, or even helping his children with their homework lay beyond his capabilities.

"My life lacked self-worth," Raney said.

The opportunity to take on a new role and possibly regain some self-worth presented itself, however, and Raney seized it.

He has become a kind of West Nile poster child, profiled in the media, featured in documentaries, addressing legislators and speaking at town hall meetings such as this one.

"This disease does not discriminate," Raney told the group.

Therefore, everyone should take precautions to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes.

That was the underlying message at the two-hour town meeting, sponsored by Assemblywoman Gloria N. McLeod, D-Montclair, and held at the De Anza Center in Ontario.

"It's not going to go away," she said of the virus. "We as citizens of the community must be very aware."

Residents are advised to look for and eliminate standing water around their properties. Mosquitoes need water, and not very much of it, to breed.

"No water - no mosquitoes," said West Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District general manager Min-Lee Chen, who gave the assembled a primer on the virus and its spread across the country.

Most cases of West Nile are probably contracted in and around people's homes, he said.

So far this year in California, 21 people from nine counties have contracted either West Nile fever or, like Raney, the more serious West Nile encephalitis or meningitis. An elderly Kings County man was the first fatality.

In 2004, the state recorded 830 confirmed cases and 28 deaths.

Residents are advised to not only eliminate standing water, but also to repair screens, avoid going out during the evening or morning hours when mosquitoes are most active, and if outside during those times, to use repellent containing DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus.