Pensacola, Florida
As of October 31, 2014: 117 cases of human infection with Arterivirus potestas have been reported. All patients were admitted to area hospitals and passed away within a week.
Orlando, Florida
As of October 28, 2014: 551 cases of human infection with Arterivirus potestas have been reported. All patients were admitted to area hospitals with one survivor reported.
Atlanta, Georgia
As of October 24, 2014: 1 case of human infection with Arterivirus potestas have been reported. This 28-year-old male was admitted to the ICU. He has had no known contact with suspected or confirmed cases of infection with animals or in the community.
As of October 31, 2014: 117 cases of human infection with Arterivirus potestas have been reported. All patients were admitted to area hospitals and passed away within a week.
Orlando, Florida
As of October 28, 2014: 551 cases of human infection with Arterivirus potestas have been reported. All patients were admitted to area hospitals with one survivor reported.
Atlanta, Georgia
As of October 24, 2014: 1 case of human infection with Arterivirus potestas have been reported. This 28-year-old male was admitted to the ICU. He has had no known contact with suspected or confirmed cases of infection with animals or in the community.
Patient: Lauren Whitley
Sex: Female
Age: 13 years DOB: 04/09/2001
Height: 5’ 0” Weight: 105 lbs.
Place of Residence: Salt Lake City, Utah
Recent Travels: Washingtion, D.C. (February 1-7)
Orlando, FL (April 14-21): Walt Disney World, Bear Creek Nature Trail, Florida Trail, Mills Creek, Hal Scott Preserve, Lake Jesup, Tibet-Butler Preserve, Twin Oaks, Lake Lotus Park, and Historic Babb Landing.
Daily/Weekly Activities: Jogging to school; Running on the cross country team; Participating in track practice and meets; Walking to local dog parks with family
Noted Arthropods Contacted: Ticks and mosquitoes
Date of Symptom Onset: 04/27/2014; Seven ticks removed after trip to Florida by doctor
Symptoms: Fever, Shivers, Intense Joint and Muscle Pain, Nausea, and Loss of Appetite
Date of Hospital Admittance: 04/28/2014
Treatment: Oral Broad Spectrum Antibiotic; IV Antibiotics, Antivirals, and Fluids; Oxygen
Date of Death: 05/11/2014
Cause of Death: Unknown Infection
Sex: Female
Age: 13 years DOB: 04/09/2001
Height: 5’ 0” Weight: 105 lbs.
Place of Residence: Salt Lake City, Utah
Recent Travels: Washingtion, D.C. (February 1-7)
Orlando, FL (April 14-21): Walt Disney World, Bear Creek Nature Trail, Florida Trail, Mills Creek, Hal Scott Preserve, Lake Jesup, Tibet-Butler Preserve, Twin Oaks, Lake Lotus Park, and Historic Babb Landing.
Daily/Weekly Activities: Jogging to school; Running on the cross country team; Participating in track practice and meets; Walking to local dog parks with family
Noted Arthropods Contacted: Ticks and mosquitoes
Date of Symptom Onset: 04/27/2014; Seven ticks removed after trip to Florida by doctor
Symptoms: Fever, Shivers, Intense Joint and Muscle Pain, Nausea, and Loss of Appetite
Date of Hospital Admittance: 04/28/2014
Treatment: Oral Broad Spectrum Antibiotic; IV Antibiotics, Antivirals, and Fluids; Oxygen
Date of Death: 05/11/2014
Cause of Death: Unknown Infection
Patient: Cynthia Whitley
Sex: Female
Age: 47 years DOB: 08/20/1966
Height: 5’ 4” Weight: 260 lbs.
Place of Residence: Salt Lake City, Utah
Recent Travels: Disney Cruise to Caribbean (June 2012)
San Francisco, California (July 2013)
Orlando, FL (April 14-21): Walt Disney World, Bear Creek Nature Trail, Florida Trail, Mills Creek, Hal Scott Preserve, Lake Jesup, Tibet-Butler Preserve, Twin Oaks, Lake Lotus Park, and Historic Babb Landing.
Husband traveled to Oregon (January 5-10) and Alaska (January 11-16)
Daily/Weekly Activities: Yard work; Walking to local church; After dinner walk with family to local dog park; Attending daughter’s track meets; Assisting son with general care and show prep in his FFA activities
Noted Arthropods Contacted: Bug bites noted from activities; Lice and ticks from son’s FFA animals
Date of Symptom Onset: 04/28/2014
Symptoms: Fever, Sweats, Bloodshot Eyes, Rash on Back of Hands and Legs
Previous Conditions: Obesity Related High Blood Pressure, Sleep Apnea, Type 2 Diabetes, and Heart Disease
Date of Hospital Admittance: 04/28/2014
Treatment: IV Antibiotics, Antivirals, B+ Blood, and Fluids; Oxygen
Date of Death: 05/02/2014
Cause of Death: Unknown Infection
Sex: Female
Age: 47 years DOB: 08/20/1966
Height: 5’ 4” Weight: 260 lbs.
Place of Residence: Salt Lake City, Utah
Recent Travels: Disney Cruise to Caribbean (June 2012)
San Francisco, California (July 2013)
Orlando, FL (April 14-21): Walt Disney World, Bear Creek Nature Trail, Florida Trail, Mills Creek, Hal Scott Preserve, Lake Jesup, Tibet-Butler Preserve, Twin Oaks, Lake Lotus Park, and Historic Babb Landing.
Husband traveled to Oregon (January 5-10) and Alaska (January 11-16)
Daily/Weekly Activities: Yard work; Walking to local church; After dinner walk with family to local dog park; Attending daughter’s track meets; Assisting son with general care and show prep in his FFA activities
Noted Arthropods Contacted: Bug bites noted from activities; Lice and ticks from son’s FFA animals
Date of Symptom Onset: 04/28/2014
Symptoms: Fever, Sweats, Bloodshot Eyes, Rash on Back of Hands and Legs
Previous Conditions: Obesity Related High Blood Pressure, Sleep Apnea, Type 2 Diabetes, and Heart Disease
Date of Hospital Admittance: 04/28/2014
Treatment: IV Antibiotics, Antivirals, B+ Blood, and Fluids; Oxygen
Date of Death: 05/02/2014
Cause of Death: Unknown Infection
Patient: Frank Howard
Sex: Male
Age: 66 years DOB: 04/14/1948
Height: 5’ 11” Weight: 198 lbs.
Place of Residence: Orlando, Florida
Recent Travels: Armenia (January 15-28, 2013)
Tibet (April 2013)
Traveled from Orlando to Oregon and back (June-August 2013)
Uganda (November 22, 2013-January 1, 2014)
Philippines (January 30-February 10)
Jacksonville, Florida and the Bahamas (cruise March 6-10)
Galveston, Texas and the Caribbean (cruise April 24-29)
Daily/Weekly Activities: Morning hikes in the local area (Bear Creek Nature Trail, Florida Trail, Mills Creek, Western Corridor Trail, Hal Scott Preserve, Lake Jesup, Tibet-Butler Preserve, Twin Oaks Trail, Lake Lotus Park, and Historic Babb Landing Trail); Working in the yard; Caring for rescued exotic animals
Noted Arthropods Contacted: N/A
Date of Symptom Onset: 05/05/2014
Symptoms: Low-grade Fever, Malaise
Previous Conditions: Early Stage Cirrhosis of Liver, Infrequent Gout, High Blood Pressure, Macular Degeneration
Date of Hospital Admittance: 05/15/2014
Treatment: IV Antivirals, Steroids, and Fluids
Date of Death: 05/17/2014
Cause of Death: Unknown Infection
Frank Howard had an extremely weakened immune system. He most likely contracted the disease from a tick on his pets and had a quick onset of symptoms. He was only able to fight off the illness for 12 days after he first felt sick.
Sex: Male
Age: 66 years DOB: 04/14/1948
Height: 5’ 11” Weight: 198 lbs.
Place of Residence: Orlando, Florida
Recent Travels: Armenia (January 15-28, 2013)
Tibet (April 2013)
Traveled from Orlando to Oregon and back (June-August 2013)
Uganda (November 22, 2013-January 1, 2014)
Philippines (January 30-February 10)
Jacksonville, Florida and the Bahamas (cruise March 6-10)
Galveston, Texas and the Caribbean (cruise April 24-29)
Daily/Weekly Activities: Morning hikes in the local area (Bear Creek Nature Trail, Florida Trail, Mills Creek, Western Corridor Trail, Hal Scott Preserve, Lake Jesup, Tibet-Butler Preserve, Twin Oaks Trail, Lake Lotus Park, and Historic Babb Landing Trail); Working in the yard; Caring for rescued exotic animals
Noted Arthropods Contacted: N/A
Date of Symptom Onset: 05/05/2014
Symptoms: Low-grade Fever, Malaise
Previous Conditions: Early Stage Cirrhosis of Liver, Infrequent Gout, High Blood Pressure, Macular Degeneration
Date of Hospital Admittance: 05/15/2014
Treatment: IV Antivirals, Steroids, and Fluids
Date of Death: 05/17/2014
Cause of Death: Unknown Infection
Frank Howard had an extremely weakened immune system. He most likely contracted the disease from a tick on his pets and had a quick onset of symptoms. He was only able to fight off the illness for 12 days after he first felt sick.
Patient: Patricia Howard
Sex: Female
Age: 64 years DOB: 03/14/1950
Height: 5’ 5” Weight: 161 lbs.
Place of Residence: Orlando, Florida
Recent Travels: Armenia (January 15-28, 2013)Tibet (April 2013)
Traveled from Orlando to Oregon and back (June-August 2013)
Uganda (November 22, 2013-January 1, 2014)
Philippines (January 30-February 10)
Jacksonville, Florida and the Bahamas (cruise March 6-10)
Galveston, Texas and the Caribbean (cruise April 24-29)
Daily/Weekly Activities: Morning hikes in the local area (Bear Creek Nature Trail, Florida Trail, Mills Creek, Western Corridor Trail, Hal Scott Preserve, Lake Jesup, Tibet-Butler Preserve, Twin Oaks Trail, Lake Lotus Park, and Historic Babb Landing Trail); Working in the yard; Caring for rescued exotic animals
Noted Arthropods Contacted: N/A
Date of Symptom Onset: 05/07/2014
Symptoms: Mild fever, Malaise
Previous Conditions: Chronic Low Blood Pressure, Beginning Plaque Buildup in Arteries, Menopause
Date of Hospital Admittance: 05/15/2014
Treatment: IV Antivirals, Steroids, and Fluids
Date of Death: 05/20/2014
Cause of Death: Unknown Infection
Patricia Howard contracted the disease from one of hier pets, most likely her husband's Ugandan flying squirrels sometime in mid April. When she traveled to Galveston, TX for her Caribbean cruise she was bitten by a tick who then transmitted the pathogen to small mammals and birds in the area. Patricia was moderately healthy so she did not experience symptoms until her return home in early May.
Sex: Female
Age: 64 years DOB: 03/14/1950
Height: 5’ 5” Weight: 161 lbs.
Place of Residence: Orlando, Florida
Recent Travels: Armenia (January 15-28, 2013)Tibet (April 2013)
Traveled from Orlando to Oregon and back (June-August 2013)
Uganda (November 22, 2013-January 1, 2014)
Philippines (January 30-February 10)
Jacksonville, Florida and the Bahamas (cruise March 6-10)
Galveston, Texas and the Caribbean (cruise April 24-29)
Daily/Weekly Activities: Morning hikes in the local area (Bear Creek Nature Trail, Florida Trail, Mills Creek, Western Corridor Trail, Hal Scott Preserve, Lake Jesup, Tibet-Butler Preserve, Twin Oaks Trail, Lake Lotus Park, and Historic Babb Landing Trail); Working in the yard; Caring for rescued exotic animals
Noted Arthropods Contacted: N/A
Date of Symptom Onset: 05/07/2014
Symptoms: Mild fever, Malaise
Previous Conditions: Chronic Low Blood Pressure, Beginning Plaque Buildup in Arteries, Menopause
Date of Hospital Admittance: 05/15/2014
Treatment: IV Antivirals, Steroids, and Fluids
Date of Death: 05/20/2014
Cause of Death: Unknown Infection
Patricia Howard contracted the disease from one of hier pets, most likely her husband's Ugandan flying squirrels sometime in mid April. When she traveled to Galveston, TX for her Caribbean cruise she was bitten by a tick who then transmitted the pathogen to small mammals and birds in the area. Patricia was moderately healthy so she did not experience symptoms until her return home in early May.
Patient: Mackenzie Sutton
(Probable Patient Zero)
Sex: Female
Age: 29 years DOB: 08/20/1985
Height: 6’ 0” Weight: 170 lbs.
Place of Residence: Orlando, Florida
Recent Travels: New Orleans (February 2014)
Daily/Weekly Activities: Pet sitter for 10 clients with a variety of animals, including exotic species; Hiked with customer pets along Bear Creek, Florida Trail, Isle of Pine, Orlando Trail, Historic Babb, Lake Jesup, Lower Wekiva, downtown area; Preferred lush wooded areas with small animals; Rescued small animals from bad homes and releases them in better habitats
Noted Arthropods Contacted: Reported bug bites and stings; Fleas, ticks, lice, mosquitoes, and unknown insects contacted
Date of Symptom Onset: 04/30/2014
Symptoms: High fever
Previous Conditions: Flu Last Fall, Weekly Headaches
Date of Hospital Admittance: 04/30/2014 (First admittance)
Treatment: Antibiotics
Date of Hospital Admittance: 05/07/2014 (Second admittance)
Treatment: IV Antibiotics, Fluids, Pain Killers, and Steroids; Vaccinated for several known diseases
Date of Death: 05/28/2014
Cause of Death: Unknown Infection
Mackenzie Sutton is the most likely patient zero. She is a pet sitter for the infected flying squirrels Frank and Patricia Howard shipped from Uganda. When the Gulf Coast Tick nymphs became active in late February, they fed on the flying squirrels and transmitted the disease to other small rodents, birds, and Mackenzie. She is young and healthy, so the infection took a few weeks to take hold of her body. During these weeks Mackenzie continued her job as a pet sitter and walked the pets of various clients in parks and trails around Orlando. She and the pets she walked were probably fed on by ticks in various locations and the pathogen spread. The pets she watched most likely carried an infected tick to their home where it fed on, and infected their owners. When infection levels got high enough to display symptoms, she was able to fight the infection for about a month before succumbing to it.
(Probable Patient Zero)
Sex: Female
Age: 29 years DOB: 08/20/1985
Height: 6’ 0” Weight: 170 lbs.
Place of Residence: Orlando, Florida
Recent Travels: New Orleans (February 2014)
Daily/Weekly Activities: Pet sitter for 10 clients with a variety of animals, including exotic species; Hiked with customer pets along Bear Creek, Florida Trail, Isle of Pine, Orlando Trail, Historic Babb, Lake Jesup, Lower Wekiva, downtown area; Preferred lush wooded areas with small animals; Rescued small animals from bad homes and releases them in better habitats
Noted Arthropods Contacted: Reported bug bites and stings; Fleas, ticks, lice, mosquitoes, and unknown insects contacted
Date of Symptom Onset: 04/30/2014
Symptoms: High fever
Previous Conditions: Flu Last Fall, Weekly Headaches
Date of Hospital Admittance: 04/30/2014 (First admittance)
Treatment: Antibiotics
Date of Hospital Admittance: 05/07/2014 (Second admittance)
Treatment: IV Antibiotics, Fluids, Pain Killers, and Steroids; Vaccinated for several known diseases
Date of Death: 05/28/2014
Cause of Death: Unknown Infection
Mackenzie Sutton is the most likely patient zero. She is a pet sitter for the infected flying squirrels Frank and Patricia Howard shipped from Uganda. When the Gulf Coast Tick nymphs became active in late February, they fed on the flying squirrels and transmitted the disease to other small rodents, birds, and Mackenzie. She is young and healthy, so the infection took a few weeks to take hold of her body. During these weeks Mackenzie continued her job as a pet sitter and walked the pets of various clients in parks and trails around Orlando. She and the pets she walked were probably fed on by ticks in various locations and the pathogen spread. The pets she watched most likely carried an infected tick to their home where it fed on, and infected their owners. When infection levels got high enough to display symptoms, she was able to fight the infection for about a month before succumbing to it.
Patient: Eric Martin
Sex: Male
Age: 28 DOB: 10/18/1985
Height:6’ 1” Weight: 210 lbs.
Place of Residence: Tallahassee, Florida
Recent travels: None
Daily/Weekly Activity: Worked as line cook for 12 hour shifts; Gardened, hiked, camped, ran, and took trips to the shore on off days; Lived in wooded area with trees and vegetation
Noted Arthropods Contacted: Mosquitoes, tick, ants, and chiggers
Date of Symptom Onset: 06/01/2014
Symptoms: Low-grade fever
Previous Conditions: Mild asthma
Date of Hospital Admittance: 06/07/2014
Treatment: Oral Amoxicillin; IV Vanocomycin, Doripenem, Rifaximin, Moroxydine, and Fluids
Date of Death: 07/11/2014
Cause of Death: Unknown infection
Eric Martin was a young, healthy individual. He contracted the disease after being fed on by an infected tick during a hiking trip. His strong immune system was able to fight off the infection for over a month after the onset of symptoms.
Patient: Ruth Martin
Sex: Female
Age: 25 DOB: 02/19/1989
Height: 5’ 2” Weight: 124 lbs.
Place of Residence: Tallahassee, Florida
Recent travels: Tampa, FL (December 2013)
Daily/Weekly Activity: Worked as accountant; Gardened; Took day trips to the coast; Hiked at local parks; Visited farmer’s markets; Camped; Lived in wooded area with trees and vegetation
Noted Arthropods Contacted: Mosquitoes and unknown insects
Date of Symptom Onset: 06/01/2014
Symptoms: Low-grade fever
Previous Conditions: None
Date of Hospital Admittance: 06/07/2014
Treatment: Oral Amoxicillin; IV Vanocomycin, Doripenem, Rifaximin, Moroxydine, and Fluids
Date of Death: 07/16/2014
Cause of Death: Unknown infection
Ruth Martin was a healthy individual with a strong immune system. She was infected when a tick fed on her during a camping trip at a local park. She fought off the infection for over a month after noticing symptoms.
Patient: Johnny Doe
Sex: Male
Age: Unknown DOB: Unknown
Height: 5’9” Weight: 119 lbs.
Place of Residence: Homeless, frequented homeless shelters in Savannah, Georgia
Recent travels: Unknown
Daily/Weekly Activity: Unknown; Patient had history of abusing drugs and staying in homeless shelters
Noted Arthropods Contacted: None
Date of Symptom Onset: Unknown; estimated around 07/16/2014
Symptoms: Chills, Fever, Rash covering 80% of body, and Festering Sores
Previous Conditions: Autopsy showed that patient had an enlarged heart, cirrhosis of the liver, and damaged kidneys, likely due to drug use.
Date of Hospital Admittance: Unknown if previous admittance to hospital occurred; Patient admitted to Georgia Bureau of Investigations’ Medical Examiner’s office on 07/18/2014
Treatment: Unknown
Date of Death: Unknown; estimated between 07/16 and 07/18/2014
Cause of Death: Unknown disease
Sex: Male
Age: Unknown DOB: Unknown
Height: 5’9” Weight: 119 lbs.
Place of Residence: Homeless, frequented homeless shelters in Savannah, Georgia
Recent travels: Unknown
Daily/Weekly Activity: Unknown; Patient had history of abusing drugs and staying in homeless shelters
Noted Arthropods Contacted: None
Date of Symptom Onset: Unknown; estimated around 07/16/2014
Symptoms: Chills, Fever, Rash covering 80% of body, and Festering Sores
Previous Conditions: Autopsy showed that patient had an enlarged heart, cirrhosis of the liver, and damaged kidneys, likely due to drug use.
Date of Hospital Admittance: Unknown if previous admittance to hospital occurred; Patient admitted to Georgia Bureau of Investigations’ Medical Examiner’s office on 07/18/2014
Treatment: Unknown
Date of Death: Unknown; estimated between 07/16 and 07/18/2014
Cause of Death: Unknown disease
Patient: Brianna Ewing
Sex: Female
Age: 12 years DOB: 08/04/2004
Height: 4’ 9” Weight: 97 lbs.
Place of Residence: Charleston, South Carolina
Recent Travels: Charleston Summer Camp (July 25-August 3)
Noted Arthropods Contacted: Mosquitoes and ticks at summer camp; 2 adult ticks removed and preserved from time at camp
Date of Symptom Onset: 08/03/2014
Symptoms: Low-grade fever
Previous Conditions: Moderate Asthma, Penicillin Allergy
Date of Hospital Admittance: 08/05/2014
Treatment: Oral Co-trimoxazole; IV Vancomycin, Metronidazole, Gentamicin, Moroxydine, and Fluids
Date of Death: 08/12/2014
Cause of Death: Unknown Infection
Sex: Female
Age: 12 years DOB: 08/04/2004
Height: 4’ 9” Weight: 97 lbs.
Place of Residence: Charleston, South Carolina
Recent Travels: Charleston Summer Camp (July 25-August 3)
Noted Arthropods Contacted: Mosquitoes and ticks at summer camp; 2 adult ticks removed and preserved from time at camp
Date of Symptom Onset: 08/03/2014
Symptoms: Low-grade fever
Previous Conditions: Moderate Asthma, Penicillin Allergy
Date of Hospital Admittance: 08/05/2014
Treatment: Oral Co-trimoxazole; IV Vancomycin, Metronidazole, Gentamicin, Moroxydine, and Fluids
Date of Death: 08/12/2014
Cause of Death: Unknown Infection
Patient: Derrick Mathis
Sex: Male
Age: 44 years DOB: 07/10/1969
Height: 5’ 11” Weight: 220 lbs.
Place of Residence: Corpus Christi, Texas
Recent Travels: Nueces County (August 28-31)
Daily/Weekly Activities: Hunted dove, deer, javelina, quail, rabbits and hares, squirrel, turkey, and alligator near home; Friend suffered from West Nile virus
Noted Arthropods Contacted: Reported bites and stings from mosquitoes, ticks, black flies, sand fleas, wasps, kissing bugs, hornets, spiders, horse flies, deer flies (potential outbreak of tick-borne diseases at state park)
Date of Symptom Onset: 09/01/2014
Symptoms: Fever; Body Aches, Severe Headache (developed on 09/09/2014); Negative for West Nile
Previous Conditions: High blood pressure
Date of Hospital Admittance: 09/01/2014
Treatment: IV Antibiotics and Antivirals
Date of Death: 09/20/2014
Cause of Death: Unknown Infection
Sex: Male
Age: 44 years DOB: 07/10/1969
Height: 5’ 11” Weight: 220 lbs.
Place of Residence: Corpus Christi, Texas
Recent Travels: Nueces County (August 28-31)
Daily/Weekly Activities: Hunted dove, deer, javelina, quail, rabbits and hares, squirrel, turkey, and alligator near home; Friend suffered from West Nile virus
Noted Arthropods Contacted: Reported bites and stings from mosquitoes, ticks, black flies, sand fleas, wasps, kissing bugs, hornets, spiders, horse flies, deer flies (potential outbreak of tick-borne diseases at state park)
Date of Symptom Onset: 09/01/2014
Symptoms: Fever; Body Aches, Severe Headache (developed on 09/09/2014); Negative for West Nile
Previous Conditions: High blood pressure
Date of Hospital Admittance: 09/01/2014
Treatment: IV Antibiotics and Antivirals
Date of Death: 09/20/2014
Cause of Death: Unknown Infection