Charlie Ray Hatten-LA, Victim---Clarice Hatten, wife

Widow: Grayson man died of West Nile
10/7/2005, 10:10 a.m. CT
The Associated Press

GRAYSON, La. (AP) — The West Nile virus killed an 81-year-old Grayson man, his wife said.

Clarice Hatten said new autopsy results show that Charlie Ray Hatten's death on Sept. 10 was caused by the virus. The state does not confirm or deny individual cases, said Dr. Raoult Ratard, the state epidemiologist.

As of Sept. 23, the state listed six deaths statewide from the virus. Ratard has said that because some families do not want to be identified, he will not release list parishes where the virus killed people until the season is over.

At the last report, 99 people had been diagnosed with the virus in Louisiana — 54 with neuroinvasive infections of the brain or spinal fluid, 27 with less serious West Nile fever and 18 without any symptoms, infections which may be identified if someone gives blood.

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Information from: The News-Star, http://www.thenewsstar.com