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Kalamazoo, Mich. – A Michigan girl struggles for her life after being diagnosed with a rare mosquito-borne disease.
Public health officials announced this week the existence of three suspected cases of equine encephalitis East – also known as EEE or "Triple E" – in two different counties.
The mother of the 14-year-old Kalamazoo County girl who was diagnosed talked about her daughter's situation.
"On Friday, she came to the point where she did not want to move," said Kerri Dooley.
After extensive testing, doctors diagnosed the rare and serious illness of Dooley's daughter, Savannah.
"A person has a 4% change from getting EEE, and then about that 4%, only 1% makes it an encephalitis," Dooley said.
The doctors said that one in three people diagnosed with an EEE diagnosis did not survive.
"She's a good kid," said Dooley. "She is very smart, she is very helpful, she would do anything to be here."
Dooley said the family was about to lose Savannah.
"It was probably the worst period of my life," said Dooley. "I watched my daughter almost leave, last Thursday it was her diagnosis."
Savannah is under ventilation and can not communicate.
"She's just kind of there right now," said Dooley. "Her brain is trying to heal herself and she can not do anything until it happens."
The family took precautions to prevent mosquito bites. The speed with which the virus attacked was therefore a surprise.
"It's a horrible feeling, but I do not know what I can tell anyone else to just watch, just be careful," said Dooley. "Look where you bring them."
Community members rallied to support the family, raising funds for medical expenses and offering words of encouragement on Savannah Strong's Facebook page.
"Her story has been told over 1,000 times," said Dooley. "I think a lot of people want to know what's going on."
Dooley tries to keep hope that her daughter will win the battle against EEE.
"She is very artistic," said Dooley. "She loves everyone, she has a heart of gold, she's just a happy and very happy girl and does not deserve to suffer that."
The family is waiting for an additional test from the state to provide further confirmation of the disease.
Copyright 2019 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit – All rights reserved.
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