Ray Stevens-CAN

West Nile ordeal kills city senior

Michelle Lang
Calgary Herald
Thursday, January 10, 2008


For almost five months, Ray Stevens fought for his life in the intensive care unit of Rockyview Hospital, paralyzed except for one arm.

The 76-year-old Calgarian, infected with a severe form of West Nile virus, slipped in and out of consciousness. He was on life support during much of his time in hospital.

Last week, Stevens lost his long battle with West Nile neurological syndrome, becoming the second person in Alberta to die from the mosquito-borne disease.

"Every day, you'd go up (to the hospital) and hope that something better would happen, but it didn't," said Arlene Stevens, his widow, on Wednesday.

"People have to realize how serious this is. They have to protect themselves," she added.

Stevens, a hockey enthusiast with a passion for his dogs, passed away Dec. 30 after becoming infected last summer, possibly during a visit to Saskatchewan.

His death comes four months after an elderly Calgary-area woman became the first person in Alberta to die from the virus in mid-September.

Like Stevens, health officials say the unidentified 74-year-old woman likely contracted West Nile in Saskatchewan.

Although both cases appear to have links to Saskatchewan, the deaths follow a record-setting year for West Nile in Alberta. The province recorded 321 cases of the virus in 2007, eclipsing the previous record in 2003 when there were about 275 cases.

"This unfortunate death underlies the importance of our message," said Howard May, spokesman for Alberta Health. "The single most effective way to reduce the risk is using DEET and personal protection."

Arlene was concerned about West Nile before her husband contracted it, and she even considered whether they should travel to Saskatchewan last summer. But the couple, who used DEET-based mosquito repellent, decided to go to Yorkton -- Stevens' hometown -- for their daughter's 50th birthday.

They left for Yorkton on July 31, returning to Calgary Aug. 9. Six days later, Stevens fell ill with flu-like symptoms. On Aug. 19, Stevens was rushed to hospital with "the worst headache possible," and within three days, he was admitted to intensive care, said his wife.

During his long hospital stay, his family had difficulty communicating with Stevens, who was hard of hearing. They often wrote him notes when they wanted to tell him something. Arlene said her husband had many visitors at the hospital, including his great grandkids and even his two dogs.

"The dogs seemed to know. They were perfect," she said.

Stevens didn't remember getting the mosquito bites that ultimately claimed his life. Arlene said it isn't clear if he was bitten in Saskatchewan or back in Calgary, but health officials suspect he contracted the virus during his trip.

In most cases, people who contract West Nile exhibit no symptoms and often learn they are carrying it after donating blood.

Those who do become ill may experience headaches, fever, chills and swollen lymph glands.

Serious cases can develop into the potentially-deadly West Nile Neurological Syndrome.

"Oftentimes, in West Nile Neurological Disorder, the risk increases with age and other health issues," said Bruce Conway, a spokesman at Calgary Health Region.

A memorial service for Stevens is planned for Saturday.

mlang@theherald.canwest.com

© The Calgary Herald 2008