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About a week ago, Cody Hopkins got bitten by a mosquito. The 13-year-old Texas teenager didn’t think too much of it – and neither did his family – until his symptoms suddenly got worse.
A few days after getting the bite, Hopkins was diagnosed with West Nile Encephalitis (more commonly known as West Nile Virus). While many people who carry West Nile Virus don’t display any symptoms, Hopkins ended up having a much different story.
This past weekend, Hopkins’ condition dramatically declined. There was nothing his doctors could do.
Hopkins passed away Wednesday morning.
His friends and family are all in shock. Hopkins had been an active, enthusiastic “young man who rode bulls and risked a great deal.”
Hopkins’ pastor commented, sadly, “…yet something as seemingly simple as a mosquito bite becomes something that takes [Hopkins’] life.”
As the Hopkins family grieves for the loss of their son, they are also trying their best to use their son’s story and their experience to spread awareness, encouraging people to be more cautious and better protect themselves.
If you have a mosquito bite that is causing concern, don’t hesitate before going to visit a doctor. It’s always better to be safe whenever you’re uncertain.
