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The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services said Thursday that the Center for Disease Control and Prevention ranks Nebraska in second place in its latest report on West Nile human cases and the first in the number of cases serious.
The Douglas County Department of Health is also seeing an increase, citing 37 cases so far in 2018. Health Department spokesman Phil Rooney said the number is expected to increase. six weeks more.
"We have seen more cases this year than in the last decade, which is significantly more," Rooney said.
The Douglas County cases account for nearly half of the state-wide cases, with 79 cases reported.
Gary Ryley is one of 20 patients hospitalized in 2018 because of the virus in Douglas County alone.
West Nile destroyed his motor skills and placed him in the hospital for nearly two weeks.
"As soon as I entered (the intensive care unit), I stopped breathing and so they helped me stay alive," said Ryley, who is now recovering from House.
The 50-year-old is grateful for his awakening.
"It's not a joke," Ryley said. "It'll paralyze you or kill you."
He learns to walk again and works to regain strength.
The Douglas County Department of Health reports that the number of 2018 is five times that of 2017. Seven cases were reported last year.
Rooney said the county could overtake the peak year in 2003, with 69 cases reported.
"We are not far from that," Rooney said. "We have cases coming in, probably more than half of those cases have occurred this month and, of course, we're only halfway through the month."
Four people died of the virus in Nebraska. One of these deaths was in Douglas County. Rooney said the virus is widespread.
"We have pools that we found that contain a significant number of West Nile mosquitoes in the four corners of the county, so they are everywhere in the county," Rooney said.
He said people should take the virus seriously and take steps to protect themselves. These steps include the use of repellent, wearing long sleeves and pants on the outside, especially from dusk to dawn, and the elimination of any stagnant water in or around your house.
The Douglas County Department of Health estimates that the increase in the number of cases could be due to a number of factors.
"There has been more rain and there has been flooding, so it provides places where mosquitoes can breed and produce," Rooney said.
He also said that more birds could carry the virus and that the human population might be less immune.
"I think people need to be warned," Rooney said. "It's here, take it seriously because it can make you very sick."
Ryley is the proof.
"I can not believe it was just an old bug," Ryley said. "It's crazy."
Ryley is an independent painter and does not have health insurance. He still needs therapy to relearn his motor skills and has stated that he does not qualify for disability or other state aid programs.
The family has created a GoFundMe page to cover expenses.
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