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Sam Penrod reporting State Health officials this week confirmed that the West Nile Virus is here in Utah.
For most people, the infection is not serious. However, we spoke with one man who is still recovering a year later.
When Pete Rainaldi, one of our KSL viewers, saw that the West Nile had arrived, he called us to share his story.
He says he never thought a little mosquito could be so powerful, that it almost took his life.
Pete Rainaldi likes getting around in his wheel chair these days. It's a huge step from where he was last July.
Pete Rainaldi, Recovering From West Nile Virus: "I've come from almost death, I was just at the borderline."
Since last summer, Pete has been recovering from being bitten by a mosquito and contracting the West Nile Virus.
Pete Rainaldi, Recovering From West Nile Virus: "I've been here six months and 18 weeks at pioneer valley hospital."
When Pete became sick, it took about three weeks before doctors could pinpoint what was wrong with him.
Pete Rainaldi, Recovering From West Nile Virus: "I was out working in my yard, when i was hit by several mosquitos, this was during the day, not at night, but during the day."
For about a week, he felt like he had the flu and it got even worse, with a fever, stiff neck and numbness. Suddenly he was found unconscious and rushed to the hospital.
Pete Rainaldi, Recovering From West Nile Virus: "My brother's told me they didn't think i was going to pull through and live, come from that to where I'm walking a little bit, I'm not walking a lot, yet, but I am walking."
And Pete hopes others will learn from his story and protect themselves from mosquitoes.
"Pete Rainaldi, Recovering From West Nile Virus: "People don't realize how this could affect them, take all precautions when you're out, especially, even during the day, that's when this got me, during the day."
Fighting West Nile Virus
- Wear Long Sleeves
- Repellent with DEET
- Elderly & Young Children at highest risk
- 1 in 150 people infected develop serious symptoms
Of course, it's most important to cover up and to use mosquito repellent with DEET. The elderly and young children are the most susceptible to West Nile. About one in every 150 people infected with West Nile will get serious symptoms.
Nurses at the Rehab Center tell us Pete has come along way. Pete hopes to move into an assisted living center in the next couple of weeks.
