A U.S. army veteran whose family said he was otherwise healthy was identified as the first Oklahoma victim of the Heartland virus.
Family members confirmed to the Tulsa World that 76-year-old Jerry Lee Mitzer was the second person to die nationally after complications from the virus. The Grove man died May 21.
Mitzner, who normally rose for the day at 4:30 a.m. and worked long hours at his lawn service, was unusually fatigued, [his daughter Melissa] Crowther said. “He thought he had the flu symptoms — he was really tired and very dizzy,” Crowther said. When Mitzner went to the doctor, his white blood cell count and his platelets were so low that he was taken to the Integris Grove Hospital emergency room, she said. The physicians at Integris Grove Hospital could not figure out why he was sick, so the family transferred Mitzner to Freeman Health in Joplin, Crowther said. “They ran every test you can imagine,” she said. Soon Mitzner’s organs began failing, and he eventually died of pneumonia from a viral infection related to the tick bite, Crowther said.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, only 10 cases of the virus have been identified since its initial discovery in 2009 in Missouri. The CDC is actively researching the virus.
The flu-like symptoms of Heartland virus may include fever, nausea and diarrhea. There is no cure for the virus.
The University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture says there is an abundance of lone star ticks in the region this spring. The Heartland virus is linked to the critter.
Entomologist Kelly Loftin with the division said any tick found on the body should be promptly removed by using tweezers, pulling upward with a steady pressure and the area should be thoroughly cleaned with alcohol, an iodine scrub or soap and water.
Health officials urge residents to remain vigilant in checking for ticks after being outdoors and to use bug spray with at least 20 percent DEET.
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