West Nile patient from Colorado still partially paralyzed one year later

JEFFERSON COUNTY, Colo. (KDVR) – Rick Enstrom, of the Enstrom Candies family, is back at home with his wife Linda, one year after he became infected with the West Nile virus and nearly died.

He’s made great progress and is using a wheelchair to get around as he is still partially paralyzed.

It’s been quite a journey. Last August Rick got a mosquito bite somewhere in the Denver metro area right before he and Linda traveled to Alaska for a fishing trip.

When they got there, Rick became very ill and went to the hospital.

“He was slowly starting to shut down, one arm, one leg, the other leg, then the other arm. Then it started in his organs, and I was terrified. I was terrified,” Linda said.

“I was paralyzed. I couldn’t swallow, I couldn’t breathe, I couldn’t move my arms, my legs,” Rick said.

Rick was put on a ventilator. Doctors in Alaska didn’t know what was wrong. Then Linda suggested testing for West Nile, and the results came back positive.

Rick was eventually flown home to CommonSpirit St. Anthony Hospital in Lakewood where he is on the board. He stayed there for about a month before he transferred to Craig Hospital for rehabilitation.

2023 among worst for West Nile virus in Colorado

Dr. Winston Tripp, the chief medical officer at St. Anthony, said last year was one of the worst for West Nile. Colorado had more than 600 cases.

“About 383 were hospitalized, and we unfortunately had 50 people die from West Nile last year in Colorado,” Tripp said.

Fortunately, Rick is doing much better. “I’m great,” he said. “I do everything I ever did, I just lack mobility.”

But he does want others to be aware. “You can’t let it run your life, but you can take a few precautions,” he said.

Experts suggest removing standing water from around your home to keep mosquitos away. They say to wear long sleeves and pants and use bug spray with DEET.

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