Ellis "Junior" Holloway

Posted on Fri, Oct. 21, 2005

Ga. man dies from complications related to West Nile virus

Associated Press

COLUMBUS, Ga. - A 63-year-old retired house painter died from complications related to the West Nile virus, the first known death from the mosquito-born disease in Georgia this year.

Ellis "Junior" Holloway thought he had the flu, but died two weeks later, his family said. "He'd been ill, vomiting for about three or four days, before he went to the hospital," said Lois Gentry, Holloway's sister.

There have been 15 reported cases of the virus in Georgia this year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said.

Last year, the state had 22 human cases of West Nile virus, none of which were fatal, according to the Georgia Division of Public Health.

In most cases, the disease is spread from mosquitoes that have bitten infected birds. In a small portion of cases, the virus is spread through blood transfusions, organ transplants and breast-feeding, the CDC said.

Victims often suffer mild flu-like symptoms, but the virus can cause deadly inflammation of the brain.
Information from: Columbus Ledger-Enquirer, http://www.ledger-enquirer.com