Dorothy Burk Mahl, OH-Victim

Tuesday, October 11, 2005

West Nile death suspected
Woman, 88, had enjoyed being outdoors

By Andrea Remke
Enquirer staff writer
ADVERTISEMENT

FORT WRIGHT - An 88-year-old retired Covington teacher who enjoyed doing yard word is believed to have died of West Nile virus, according to her brother Willard Burk of Fort Thomas. Tests are pending to confirm the cause of death.

Dorothy Burk Mahl, who had taught at John G. Carlisle School, died Friday evening at St. Elizabeth Medical Center South in Edgewood. Mahl was a resident of Fort Wright.

The Northern Kentucky Independent Health District would confirm only that the death of a Kenton County woman Friday was believed due to West Nile. Officials would not release a name, citing privacy laws. Health department spokeswoman Emily Gresham said samples were sent to the Kentucky Public Health Lab in Frankfort, where more sophisticated tests can be performed.

"If confirmed (by the state), it would be the first West Nile death this year in Kentucky," Gresham said.

Burk said his sister was a "very nice person, very friendly and smart." After his wife's death, Mahl helped him raise his daughter, Carolyn Cruse of Villa Hills.

"Dorothy always was willing to take Carolyn - take her shopping or do anything with her. She was a second mother to my daughter."

Born in Covington to William and Alma Burk, Mahl graduated from Eastern State Teachers College in Richmond. She taught fifth grade at John G. Carlisle School until about 20 years ago.

She liked to garden and to play bridge. She was a member of the PTA, the 620 Club, the Eastern Kentucky Alumni Association, the Retired Teachers Association, Delta Kappa Gamma and Gloria Dei Lutheran Church.

She was also a member and former secretary of the Covington Art Club.

She became ill about 10 days ago.

Mrs. Mahl's husband, Karl Mahl, died in 1985. In addition to her brother, survivors include a son, Karl Mahl Jr. of Trabuco Canyon, Calif.; a sister, Betty O'Toole of Crestview Hills; and one grandchild.

Visitation is 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. today followed by the funeral at Swindler & Currin Funeral Home, 214 West Southern Ave. in Latonia. Burial will be at Highland Cemetery in Fort Mitchell.

Memorials can be made to the American Heart Association, 333 Guthrie Street, Suite 207, Louisville, KY 40202.

Through last week, Health department spokesman Gresham said, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 55 deaths this year across the nation from West Nile virus.

People who get the virus, primarily transmitted to humans through mosquitoes, usually show flu-like symptoms such as aches, pains and fever, Gresham said.

Although the mosquito population dies off as it gets colder, many cases still occur in late August and September, Gresham said.

The health department also monitors West Nile cases in birds and horses. There have not been any cases in either animal reported in the Boone, Campbell, Kenton or Grant county areas, but six horses and two birds tested positive in other parts of the state, according to the department.

If confirmed, Friday's death would be the fourth human case of West Nile in Kentucky this year. In two of the cases, a Kenton County man and a Grant County woman were hospitalized and are recovering, Gresham said. The other case was in the Louisville area.

Rebecca Goodman contributed to this report. E-mail aremke@enquirer.com