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California teen fighting for his life after contracting severe West Nile virus
FOX Weather • • health
Key Points:
- A 13-year-old boy from Long Beach, California, Joseph Vazquez, contracted a rare and severe case of West Nile virus, leading to paralysis in both legs and loss of bladder and bowel control.
- Vazquez was initially diagnosed with transverse myelitis, but after extensive testing at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, doctors confirmed West Nile virus as the cause of his symptoms.
- His family highlighted the rapid progression of the illness and the severe impact on their lives, including financial strain due to his mother’s need to provide constant care.
- West Nile virus is the leading mosquito-borne disease in the contiguous U.S., with over 1,300 severe cases and more than 130 deaths annually; no vaccine or specific treatment currently exists.
- Health officials urge the public to take mosquito-borne illnesses seriously, as symptoms can escalate quickly and lead to serious medical emergencies.
