Earl Hirschfield, CAN

January 15, 2006
West Nile virus: left helpless by bug bite
By CP

WINNIPEG -- The 50-year-old trucker was suddenly as helpless as a baby, all because of a tiny insect.

"I was like a newborn," said Earl Hirschfield, a West Nile survivor and father of five grown children. "I collapsed on the floor and couldn't get up. I couldn't move my legs."

Hundreds of family and friends held a fundraiser last night for Hirschfield to raise money to make his home wheelchair accessible.

The man who supported his family for three decades as a miner and trucker before being stricken by illness is now slowly recovering after months in hospital.

Still unable to walk, Hirschfield is lifted and moved with the help of his children and wife.

About 225 people in Canada were reported last year as contracting the mosquito-borne virus, including 58 known cases in Manitoba.

For some, contracting West Nile can mean mild flu-like symptoms and a hospital stay of a few days, but for others, like Hirschfield, it can result in serious disability or even death.

"We had no idea what it was at first ... Earl never even gets sick," said his wife Pamela.

Pamela's eyes cloud over with concern when she looks at Hirschfield's beaten frame. Her husband has withered away, she said, losing 85 pounds from his 250-pound frame since late summer, when he first got sick.

She said Hirschfield was unable to communicate for long periods of time due to feeding tubes.

"All I could do was keep talking to him, and let him know I was there and what day it was," she said.

Hirschfield, now tube-free, said he has no idea how he contracted the virus. He wants to warn others about the life-altering threat of West Nile, adding he's now a big supporter of malathion fogging.

"People don't know it can hit as hard as it did for me," he said.

With months and possibly years of physical therapy ahead, Hirschfield said he's not going to let one little bug bite bring him down.

"I guess I'm just never going to retire," he joked, smiling at the brood of children and grandchildren around him.

Carl “Lefty” Long, Victim-NY

Family says Ossian man died from West Nile Virus
By ROB MONTANA - STAFF WRITER

An Ossian man passed away at Highland Hospital in Rochester Tuesday from what his family believes to be complications of West Nile Virus.

Carl “Lefty” Long, 69, first became ill in August, his wife, Rose, said this morning. She said he had come into their home one night complaining of a headache. After checking his blood pressure and finding it elevated, Rose said she consulted with Carl's doctor and gave him an extra blood pressure pill. The next morning he was a completely different person.

“He was totally confused, and doing things that were not normal,” Rose Long said. “I had to physically dress him and took him to his doctor's office in Canaseraga.”

Once there, Long said the doctor told her they were sending Carl to Noyes Memorial Hospital in Dansville by ambulance. After a couple days at Noyes he was transferred to Highland Hospital in Rochester.

“He just deteriorated so quickly,” Long said. “He thought he was working, in his mind.

When he was transferred to Highland, he underwent two spinal taps and stomach surgery. Long said the tap showed West Nile Virus.

“It's a scary thing,” she said. “His body, I can't explain it, it just lost all its strength.

“It happened so fast,” Long added. “We tried everything to save him, but we couldn't.”

After looking into the case this morning, Joan Ellison, Livingston County Health Department director, said her office has received no confirmation of West Nile Virus from lab results it has received.

“We are looking into this matter, and we did have contact with the family,” Ellison said. “The lab results we have received have been negative for West Nile Virus.”

Ellison said there are certain tests done to determine West Nile presence through a lab in Albany. She said her office is still checking to see if all the results are in, and for anything that would indicate a test done more recently.

Long spoke with someone at the county health department at the time her husband was stricken.

“I was angry because they never told anybody about it being in the area, they don't think it's here,” she said. “They asked me if he had traveled out of the country, and I told them no, just locally.”

Carl Long's doctor, Dr. Thomas Dwyer, was out of his office this morning, but his office manager said they could not release any information as a result of HIPAA regulations that protect privacy of patients. The physician that cared for Carl at Highland Hospital also was unavailable for comment this morning.

Long spoke with Dwyer's office this morning, and they said they would not release the information until she fills out some legal documents. She said they did tell her they looked at the file and had some information from Highland that said Carl passed away from encephalitis as a result of West Nile Virus.

Matt McChesney, CO

McChesney hopes to play for Jets
Posted by the Asbury Park Press on 12/3/05
BY JOSH THOMSON
STAFF WRITER

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. — One Sunday in mid-July, Matt McChesney woke up with a brutal headache. For a football player, headaches usually aren't a big deal, but McChesney just couldn't shake loose from the pounding between his ears.

By the time McChesney decided he better head to the hospital, his body had been so sapped of its strength that his father, David, and younger brother, Zack, had to drag the 6-foot-4, 307-pounder to the car.

Upon admittance to the emergency room, doctors ran a series of tests and eventually divulged to the big, strong, affable former University of Colorado defensive tackle that he had contracted the energy-depleting West Nile Virus. Not only was driving to St. Louis Rams camp the next day out of the question, so was football. Ten days later the Rams cut McChesney loose.

A mosquito bite, his mom says with irony, almost cost her son his entire rookie season.

"Everyone was out there proving themselves for a position," Lynn McChesney said Friday by phone. "And here he was sitting at home and trying to get better."

These days, McChesney is fully healed and has been a member of the Jets practice squad since early November. Considering he just turned 24, McChesney, who was drafted by St. Louis in the seventh round, still has plenty of time to make a mark. But there were days and nights that seemed impossible.

McChesney was in and out of the hospital all summer long and taking medication to numb his headaches. It took the entire 60-day recovery period just to shake the West Nile Virus, so training for the NFL wasn't exactly happening either.

In September, both the Jets and Indianapolis Colts contacted him for a tryout. Because he had only been on his feet about five days by that point, the workout in New York went poorly. He flew to Indianapolis that night but failed his physical.

During October, McChesney flew to New York for another workout. But it took a third trip to New York to land him a spot on the practice squad.

Copyright © 2005 Asbury Park Press. All rights reserved.

Lloyd Martinsen, CA

Canyon Laker recovering from West Nile Virus

By Shannon Weatherford
Reporter

Lloyd Martinsen and his wife, Ruth, love to spend their summer evenings sitting on the front porch of their Canyon Lake Drive North home, watching the colorful parade of cars, golf carts, joggers and walkers pass by. It was one of those evenings that Lloyd suspects led him to spend the next several months recovering from a potentially fatal illness.
The Martinsens had spent Sunday, August 6, at the Costa Mesa Hilton enjoying the sights and sounds of the Orange County Jazz Festival. Upon waking the following morning, Lloyd knew something was very wrong. Overnight, he had fallen ill with flu-like symptoms accompanied by a high fever, which can be serious enough for a man of 85, but adding to that was severe neck pain which developed into an excruciating headache, numbness in his legs that left him unable to walk and a feeling of general confusion. “I was really out of it and just as weak as a kitten,” Lloyd recalls.
Ruth rushed him to the emergency room at Menifee Valley Medical Center, where he had to be helped into a wheelchair by a nurse just to get from the car into the hospital. Based on his symptoms, an infectious disease specialist was called in to consult and felt that Lloyd was exhibiting signs of bacterial meningitis, an infection of the spinal fluid or the fluid surrounding the brain. Because bacterial meningitis must be treated with antibiotics in the early stages, the specialist indicated a course of strong antibiotics while awaiting the results of various tests.
A week later when the report came in, the results shocked everyone involved – Lloyd wasn’t suffering from bacterial meningitis at all; he had contracted West Nile Virus. The doctor immediately took Lloyd off the antibiotics, which by this time had caused Lloyd’s colon to swell, the result of an infection actually brought on by the antibiotics. As there is no treatment for West Nile Virus, Lloyd and Ruth had no other option but to wait out the illness, hoping that he would recover.
West Nile Virus is often difficult to diagnose because severe symptoms, such as the ones Lloyd displayed, appear in only one out of every 150 infected and can mimic those of other serious illnesses, as they did in Lloyd’s case. In nearly 80 percent of cases, sufferers don’t exhibit symptoms at all. Infection normally occurs within three to 14 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito.
Although the seasonal epidemic is over for the most part now that fall is becoming winter, precautions should still be taken to avoid mosquito bites, including wearing clothing that covers exposed skin and using DEET-based mosquito repellants. Those most at-risk for contracting the illness from an infected mosquito are small children, adults over 50 and those with compromised immune systems.
While still recuperating from the after-effects of the illness as well as undergoing treatment for the infection to his colon, Lloyd says that he is now West Nile Virus-free, and thinks the most likely scenario for having contracted the illness was while enjoying a summer evening right on his own front porch. “We all know that mosquitoes are in abundance in Canyon Lake,” Lloyd says, which is why both he and Ruth plan to take appropriate measures next summer for their evening respites.

Bob "Big Stef" Steffen, OH

Big Stef battles West Nile
By Shelly Whitehead
Post staff reporter
TERRY DUENNES/The Post
Bob “Big Stef” Steffen, who battles West Nile, proudly showed off his retirement cake recently.

To send messages, cards or flowers to Bob Steffen or donations to Big Stef, Inc.:

On the Web: www.bigstef.org

By mail: Big Stef, Inc., P.O. Box 1844, Newport, KY 41071

One of the biggest hearts in Northern Kentucky - a man whose Newport-based organization helps thousands of the needy and sick each Christmas - is now very sick himself after contracting the deadly West Nile virus.

Bob Steffen, the 68-year-old founder of the charitable group Big Stef, Inc., was diagnosed with the mosquito-borne virus last month about two weeks after he was found unconscious in his Newport home, relatives say.

Now, the well-known philanthropist is a patient in the same Highland Heights nursing home where he launched a simple holiday gift-giving tradition 21 years ago that has blossomed into a year-round charity.

This holiday season, more than 400 needy families and thousands of nursing home residents will receive gifts and parties from Steffen's non-profit group. But, for the first time since 1984, the organization's Santa-sized namesake won't be able to participate. Steffen is simply too sick, said his niece, Megan Steffen.

"He's been down with it for 5½ weeks. They thought at first it was a stroke," said Ms. Steffen, board secretary for Big Stef, Inc.

Three weeks ago, Ms. Steffen said a Utah-based lab confirmed that her uncle had West Nile virus. But, that wasn't all. Ms. Steffen said the 68-year-old former Campbell County Sheriff's deputy was also diagnosed with meningitis and five other viruses during his lengthy stay at St. Luke Hospital East in Fort Thomas.

For much of that time, Steffen was not speaking, walking or able to eat. Family members worried he might not make it. Then, about two weeks ago, he started coming around, Ms. Steffen said.

And of course, he wanted to know how his organization's holiday efforts were progressing. He was particularly concerned about the status of the annual Southgate House benefit in memory of his deceased brother, Tommy, which took place last weekend.

"He knew it was coming up. We hung a poster for it in his room. He kept asking about it," she said.

"We made about $4,800, which is a little lower than last year's with it. I kind of wonder if that had to do with the fact that Uncle Bob wasn't there this year. He was a big draw."

Though nearly everything about Bob Steffen has always been big and generous, his niece said the virus has burned up some of the heft on her famous uncle's frame, which once weighed in at more than 400 pounds. His size never seemed to hamper his swift pace, however, in building Big Stef, Inc. into an organization capable of charitable activities that are continuing through the help of its many volunteers.

Over the next several weeks, dozens of Big Stef's unpaid do-gooders will deliver holiday parties and gifts to residents at nine Northern Kentucky nursing homes. Some will come clothed as Santa himself, a light-hearted touch Steffen inaugurated in 1984 when he first passed out candy canes and gifts to his ailing mother, Clara, and other residents at Lakeside Place Nursing Home.

This year, as one of the residents of the same facility - now known as Northern Kentucky Care and Rehabilitation Center - Steffen will be on the receiving end of his own organization's good works for the first time.

"We keep telling him he can pick his own Santa to visit," Ms. Steffen said.

"There will be three Santas there - one for each floor. ... The residents really do look forward to it ... and appreciate it."

As do the hundreds of needy families each year who receive holiday baskets filled with about $150 worth of food and cupboard staples in the week before Christmas. Supplies for that undertaking are purchased with funds raised through a half-dozen annual Big Stef, Inc. benefit events, as well as annual membership dues paid by hundreds of participants in the organization.

At Coach's Corner, one of the Newport taverns where Steffen started raising money for gifts a decade ago, everybody knows the big guy with the bacon cheeseburger named after him on the menu. And today, everybody there worries about him, too, according to co-owner Midge Brewer.

"Everyone here is thinking about him. We have people come in every day and ask about him," Brewer said.

"We wish him well and we can't wait to see him back here having a cold Miller Lite again ... and a Big Stef burger. He's a wonderful person."

Tom Steiner, WS (2)

Students Remember Wauwatosa West Principal

Mon Nov 21, 5:46 PM ET

Monday was the first day back to school for Wauwatosa West High School students after learning of the recent death of their school principal.

Tom Steiner died Friday after he was diagnosed with the West Nile virus four weeks ago.

He was the second to die from West Nile virus so in the state of Wisconsin this year.

Steiner was 56 years old and had been at Wauwatosa West for the past five years. Senior David Kruse told WISN 12 News that Steiner was well liked.

He shared a favorite memory about when Steiner came to his rescue.

"Sophomore year, I didn't have any lunch money, so I asked Mr. Steiner, 'Can I borrow some lunch money?' He hands me a $5 bill and says, 'Keep the change.' That's just just cool. I don't care who you are, that's neat. I tried to pay him back the next day and he wouldn't take the money back," Wauwatosa West student David Kruse said.

Green ribbons were handed out to students and faculty in honor and remembrance of Steiner.

Other students paid tribute to their principal publicly on a rock on the front lawn.

Visitation for Steiner will be Friday from 3 p.m..-8 p.m.at Schmidt and Bartelt in Wauwatosa.

The funeral will be on Saturday at St. Bernard's.

Marge Riley, NE

West Nile was just the start

When Marge Riley of North Platte took out the trash in July, she didn't even think about putting on a long-sleeved shirt. She paid a huge price for that decision. She has temporarily lost the use of her left leg, and she spent months in the hospital after physicians diagnosed her with West Nile virus.

Marge Riley, NE

11/16/2005
West Nile virus takes toll on local woman
By: Diane Finch , Telegraph Corespondent

When Marge Riley took out the trash in July, she didn't even think about putting on a long-sleeved shirt. After all, the trash barrel was just yards from her house and it would only take her a few seconds.
She paid a huge price for that decision. She has temporarily lost the use of her left leg, and she spent months in the hospital after physicians diagnosed her with West Nile virus.
"It started out just like the flu," said Riley, 75, who now lives with her daughter and son-in-law, Lyndee and John Doyle.
"There were the usual symptoms - headache, vomiting, diarrhea. My mouth was so dry. I didn't go to the doctor until I got so weak I couldn't stand up."
Doyle took her to the emergency room at Great Plains Regional Medical Center, where, after extensive testing and waiting for results, she was diagnosed with West Nile virus.
When her condition steadily grew worse, more tests indicated the virus had precipitated Guillain-Barré, an autoimmune disorder that causes damage to the nerves and muscles. Riley was immediately transported by ambulance to a neurological center in Fort Collins, Colo., where tests proved positive for West Nile.
"West Nile doesn't manifest the kind of paralysis that she had. Both legs were paralyzed and she couldn't swallow," said Doyle, a Federal Express office manager, who has taken a three-month leave of absence to care for her mother. "We had to find out what was causing the secondary effects."
Although Riley doesn't remember much about her two weeks in intensive care, she does recall Magnetic Resonance Imaging sessions (MRIs), where she had to lie perfectly still for two hours.
Next came five days of blood infusion, which can cause severe allergic reactions. After 14 days in intensive care, Riley was admitted to a rehabilitation center in Fort Collins, where they taught her how to relearn little things such as feeding and dressing herself.
The daily physical therapy strengthened muscle but did not bring back the feeling in her left leg. That leg is still paralyzed from the hip down. After three months in Fort Collins, neurologists released Riley, telling her it might take up to a year for the leg to recover, or perhaps longer.
"I've always been so active," said Riley, who has lived in North Platte 44 years and is noted for her culinary talents. The home economics major who studied at Colorado Women's College at one time also gave microwave cooking lessons.
"Now I can't even get in and out of bed by myself. I use the wheelchair for everything but still I need someone to help around the clock."
Riley does physical therapy several times each week and makes it a point to get out of the house, with the help of her daughter. Last week she went with friends to a local restaurant to celebrate her 75th birthday. Each day she thanks the Lord for the help she receives from her three children and grandson, Austin Doyle.
"I try to stay positive," Riley said, smiling. "Sometimes I can even joke about it. My faith has helped me through this."
Still, it's difficult to be cheerful when insurance won't entirely cover the more than $200,000 in hospital bills.
Physicians told Riley that most people who contract Guillain-Barré make a full recovery. Riley believes she contracted the disease because of the earlier West Nile virus, which creates other problems. She urges people to protect themselves again West Nile.
"It only takes one mosquito to attack. This is nothing to take lightly. Cover yourself, spray yourself with a product containing Deet - even if you're just going out to empty the trash."

Latricia Ann Spencer, Victim (3rd Story)

Funeral Held For West Nile Victim

Latricia Spencer


Start Video

By First Coast News Staff

JACKSONVILLE, FL -- A funeral delayed for a month was held Friday for Latricia Ann Spencer, a First Coast woman who died from the West Nile Virus.
img src="http://www.firstcoastnews.com/assetpool/images/051118192138_rogerfuneral.jpg">
Spencer's family made an appeal for help on First Coast News after being unable to raise money for a funeral.

The response was overwhelming. Money not used for the funeral will be put aside to help families in similar situations.