Peoria man seriously ill after contracting West Nile virus

PHOENIX – This year’s active monsoon season has resulted in a mosquito boom in the valley, and West Nile virus cases are now on the rise from 2020.

Now a man from Peoria is in the hospital fighting for his life after contracting the virus.

“This is my rock,” said Jennifer Snider-Bushko. “I mean, he’s taking care of me, and now to see him paralyzed like that, it’s been a nightmare.”

For Snider-Bushko, it was an emotional roller coaster. It all started over two weeks ago when something was wrong with her husband Gary Bushko.

“He had collapsed and I helped him up. He had lost control of his bowels. I said, ‘Wait, honey’ and I called the ambulance,” Snider-Bushko said. .

Gary was rushed to hospital, where doctors believed he had suffered a stroke. It wasn’t until a week ago that Gary tested positive for West Nile virus meningitis. Doctors say it was the worst case they had seen in 10 years.

“The virus entered his cerebellum. It affected his speech and swallowing, but it’s consistent,” Snider-Bushko said. “It got into his nervous system as well, his spine, so that’s what they saw there. He’s pretty paralyzed, but he can move his toes and his hands.”

Due to various complications, Gary had to be airlifted from Arrowhead Hospital to Abrazo in Phoenix on September 4th.

“I just took it off the ventilator two days ago, and it was like watching someone come out of a resuscitation system,” Snider-Bushko said.

So far in 2021, 51 cases of West Nile virus have been reported, along with two deaths. At that time in 2020, there were three cases and one death. These days Snider-Bushko just wants people to know one thing.

“It can happen to anyone, and I don’t wish it on anyone. It has been an absolute nightmare.”

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