PHOENIX — Carol Mitchell is a West Nile Virus survivor with a message to share.
"I was passed out in the bathroom so I’m very lucky that I didn’t die then,” said Carol. A neighbor came to her rescue after noticing her dogs were on the loose.
Carol has been recovering in her home for almost a year now. She was hospitalized and taken to healthcare facilities throughout the Valley and Denver from August 2017 to July 2018.
The 81-year-old is a dog trainer and yoga instructor who has been in the Valley for a long time. “I’ve done yoga since I was certified in 1973," she said. “And I really attribute it to the yoga philosophy that it will heal you if you believe in it."
She has a message for those who are enduring the grave symptoms of the West Nile Virus. “You can’t give up on yourself. This may not be a pleasant experience, but I’ve never given up."
"I’m getting stronger every day. I can stand now for a period of short time and wash the dishes. I’ve learned how to shower and wash my hair and get in bed and do all those things,” she adds.
So far this year, there have been 27 reported cases of West Nile Virus in the Valley - surpassing numbers from previous years.
RELATED: Maricopa County sees increase in cases of West Nile Virus
If you want to know if you live in a high mosquito area, or if your neighborhood has been treated for mosquitoes recently, Maricopa County has a map breaking down all those details.
