SPRINGTOWN, Texas — A widow in Parker County is mourning the loss of her husband, who she had been married to for 30 years -- and it's tragically all because of a trivial mosquito bite.
It's the harsh reality for anyone who has lost a loved one to West Nile Virus. Gary Hopps, 67, died in hospice care at his Springtown home on June 29 after his health declined once he contracted the virus and was admitted to the hospital for almost three weeks.
Gary might be the first West Nile death of 2024 for Texas; however, WFAA is still waiting for the Texas Department of State Health Services to confirm that.
Gary's wife, Dranda, told WFAA that one of the last things her husband did before he fell ill was mow their lawn, and while he was well covered, Dranda said she suspected her husband was bitten during the chore.
"He went to work a few days later, and within an hour or so, he needed to come home and wasn't feeling well, " Dranda Hopps said. "He started throwing up and running a fever, was weak, and needed help getting dressed."
On June 13, Gary was admitted to a hospital in Decatur and then flown to Medical City Fort Worth on June 18. A few days later, a spinal tap confirmed he had contracted the virus.
He was released on June 27 after the hospital told his wife there was nothing more they could do for the 67-year-old.
A photo of Gary was taken in his hospital bed and shared with WFAA. Hopps said she couldn't believe how her husband went from talking to her about the things they needed to get done around the house while waiting to be admitted to the state he was in when the photo was taken.
"I look at that photo, and it's like, that can't be my husband, but I know that it is," Hopps said. "How did he go from that to this? It can't be. I don't know--he's my honey, my baby, and he's not coming back home."
In the throes of summer record rainfall across North Texas hasn't eased the West Nile threat. More moisture on the ground, including standing water, allows mosquitoes to breed faster.
Several county health departments, including Dallas County, have reported sample pools returning with positive West Nile tests.
Hopps, who says her husband made her who she is today, is asking anyone who will listen to heed her warning to protect themselves.
"I don't want anyone to go through what I'm going through," Hopps said. "Do anything you can to protect your children and yourself because this stuff is nothing to play with."
Experts recommend using strong bug spray, eliminating standing water, and avoiding time outdoors around dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active to prevent West Nile infection.