Kansas father Billy Howe was diagnosed with West Nile 12 days after a Labor Day ER visit. His wife told KSNW the virus caused brain and spinal swelling, paralyzed his throat and torso, and put him on a ventilator twice; he can now speak one word at a time.
KSNW reported Howe would spend one more week in the hospital before discharge to intensive inpatient rehabilitation. His family’s GoFundMe said rehab could last several weeks or even months.
According to the GoFundMe, Howe is unable to work at FedEx or run the family’s dog-grooming business and small sheep farm; the fundraiser was started to help with expenses. His wife, Autumn, has stayed with him at the hospital since Labor Day and is expecting their fifth child in late October.
