Experts: West Nile Season Similar To Last Year
Chicago Man Fights His Way Back From West Nile Virus
Federal officials said West Nile virus season is off to a start that is similar to last year's.
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CDC Hot Line:So far, four human cases have been reported for 2003 -- three in Texas and one in South Carolina. But the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also tracks virus activity in birds and other animals that can carry the virus. CDC Director Julie Gerberding said 32 states have reported virus activity this year -- 12 more than at this time last year.
Unlike last year, there are new screening methods and diagnostic tests. Other federal officials are researching potential vaccines and therapies.
As Americans brace for more human cases of West Nile virus, some people are still dealing with the effects of last year's illnesses.
A Chicago man's life has changed dramatically, all because of a mosquito bite.
Scot Giffen (pictured, left) contracted West Nile virus last summer. He spent months in the hospital and is now in rehab. Now, nearly a year later, he's relearning the everyday things that most people take for granted.
Giffen, 52, said he considers it a miracle that he's still alive. When Griffen was diagnosed with West Nile virus last August, doctors did not expect him to make it.
"I could have died," he said. "They didn't think I'd make it through the night."
His girlfriend, Barbara Dunlevy, recalled the horror of seeing the virus attack Giffen.
"Just seeing his body shut down in three days was so frightening," she said.
Eleven months later, with medical bills totaling $250,000, Giffen is in rehab at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago. There, he's learning how to walk again, move his arms and hands and even swallow.
For 20 years, Giffen worked as a limousine driver, but West Nile virus has caused such neurological damage that he can no longer drive.
"I wouldn't recommend this to my worst enemy," he said. "All my co-workers are stunned that it has just wiped me out."
Experts say less than 1 percent of West Nile virus cases are this severe, but some people are left with permanent injuries.
"They may have difficulty with speech. They may have muscle weakness. They may have difficulty with walking," said Dr. Gary Noskin, of Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago. "But we just don't know the natural history, for sure."
Giffen was hospitalized for two months and in a coma for 10 days. His physical therapist said the recovery process could be indefinite.
"We're not sure what the long-term effects are going to be," said physical therapist Connie Sinreich. "But he did make it back, and now it will take a lot of hard work."
"I just take it one day at a time, because that's all I can do right now," Giffen said.
Indeed, this stocky, previously healthy 52-year-old never imagined a little mosquito could do such harm. Griffen said he's thankful to be alive to warn others.
Copyright 2003 by KIROTV.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.