Firestone resident with West Nile virus dies
The Colorado health department says a Firestone resident is the first in the state to die from West Nile virus this year.
The family of 81-year-old Jack Mitchell tells the Longmont Times-Call Mitchell went to an emergency room Aug. 17 with a fever and died Sunday from West Nile meningitis and encephalitis.
Mitchell’s niece Betsy Hanlin says his uncle didn’t have any health problems before the fever Aug. 17.
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment had recorded 72 human cases of West Nile virus infections, including one death, as of Monday.
Hanlin says Mitchell was a Longmont business owner and a former Longmont resident.
A memorial service is planned Saturday at New Creation Church in Longmont.
