Fruit farmer hospitalized for a rare disease transmitted by a mosquito

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – A farmer from the famed Tree-Mendus fruit farm in Berrien County has been hospitalized for rare equine encephalitis transmitted by a mosquito.

Bill Teichman, who runs the family farm in Eau Claire, known for his annual Cherry Pit Spit competition, began to experience flu-like symptoms on Thursday, August 15, including fatigue and vomiting, a spokesman said. the sister-in-law and Irene Latack's family.

Became so weak that he could no longer stand up and that it made no sense when he was trying to talk, the family took Teichman to Spectrum Health Lakeland Hospital in St Joseph on Friday, August 16th. Doctors administered a back puncture to determine causing rapid deterioration.

Five days later, the family was informed of the return of a preliminary reading on Eastern equine encephalitis. The rare viral disease was confirmed several days later. Since the infection is viral, there is no human vaccine or antiviral treatment.

According to information provided by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, only 4% to 5% of people will get sick when they become infected with the virus. Infected persons generally do not show symptoms; However, those who do will have chills, fever, weakness, muscle and joint pain like Teichman.

The scarcity of the disease has been an additional source of frustration and fear for the Teichman family, Latack said.

"It's a bit discouraging," she says. "There is not a lot of information about it."

The virus mainly affects animals because it is often present in and around swampy areas where human populations tend to be limited, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In Michigan, nine horses and five fallow deer were infected this year, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.

Recently, a deer infected with the virus was euthanized near Frederick Avenue in the Kalamazoo neighborhood of Oakland-Winchell on Monday, August 26th.

People working outdoors and having fun in areas where the virus is detected are at increased risk of infection. People over the age of 50 and under 15 appear to be most at risk of developing a serious illness, according to the CDC.

Teichman is the third person who would have been infected in the state this year, according to the MDDHS. On Friday, September 6, a resident of Kalamazoo County was reportedly killed after contracting the virus, according to health and community services in Kalamazoo County.

Shortly after admission to St. Joseph's Hospital, Teichman was transferred to Spectrum Health Butterworth in Grand Rapids and spent three weeks in the neurology intensive care unit, Latack said.

According to MDDHS, less than 1% of those infected will develop a serious neurological disease causing inflammation of the brain or surrounding tissues.

According to the MDDHS, about 30% of people developing neurological infection due to Eastern Equine Encephalitis will die.

"If you're browsing Google, the details are horrible," said Latack. "It's hard to find the survivors."

Mr. Teichman has since joined Spectrum Health Blodgett's acute care specialty care unit in Grand Rapids, and he's showing little signs of progress, Latack said.

As a fruit farmer, Teichman often works between 12 and 14 hours during the growing season. At 57, he and his wife Monica were actively running the farm. The strength and physical form of Teichman gave the family the conviction that he would begin the long road to recovery.

In addition, community support in the form of prayer chains, kind words and GoFundMe donations has been a source of humility, said Mr. Latack.

While Teichman and his wife were unemployed, in addition to the aggravating factor of a poor harvest of peaches, nectarines and plumes due to the freezing temperatures of January, financial stress began to worsen, said Latack. Although the couple wants to preserve their privacy, she explained, the creation of a GoFundMe seemed to be the next step to help reduce the financial burden.

Since its inception earlier this week, Latack's GoFundMe has raised more than $ 20,000. The family has set a goal of $ 50,000 to help pay for current and long-term expenses.

"Even though it's horrible, there are a lot of people out there for us," said Lanack. "We appreciate it so much."