The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services said Thursday that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ranks Nebraska second in its latest report of human West Nile cases and first in the number of severe cases.The Douglas County Health Department is also seeing an increase, citing 37 cases so far in 2018. Health Department spokesperson Phil Rooney said that number is expected to increase, as cases likely won't drop until the first frost of the season -- which could be six more weeks away."We've seen more cases this year than we've seen in any year in the past decade -- significantly more," Rooney said.Douglas County's cases account for nearly half of the cases statewide, with 79 cases reported.Gary Ryley is one of about 20 patients who have been hospitalized from the virus in 2018 in Douglas County alone.West Nile wiped out his motor skills and put him in the hospital for nearly two weeks."(As) soon as they got me in (the intensive care unit), I quit breathing and so they got me on life support," said Ryley, who's now recovering at home.The 50-year-old is thankful he woke up."it (is not a) joke," Ryley said. "It'll cripple you or kill you."He's learning how to walk again and is working to regain strength.The Douglas County Health Department reports 2018 numbers are up five times the number from 2017. There were seven cases reported last year.Rooney said the county could surpass the peak year in 2003, when 69 cases were reported."We're not far off from that," Rooney said. "We have cases that have been coming in, probably more than half these cases, have come about this month and of course we're only halfway through the month."Four people have died from the virus in Nebraska. One of those deaths was in Douglas County. Rooney said the virus is widespread."We do have pools that we found that contain significant numbers of West Nile mosquitoes in four corners of the county, so it's all over the county," Rooney said.He said people should take the virus seriously and take steps to protect themselves. Those steps include using repellent, wearing long sleeves and pants outside, especially from dusk to dawn, and getting rid of any standing water in or around your home.The Douglas County Health Department believes the increase in cases could be due to a number of factors."There's been more rain and there was some flooding, so that provides some locations for mosquitoes to breed and produce," Rooney said.He also said more birds could be carrying the virus and there could be less of an immunity in the human population."I think people need to be warned about it," Rooney said. "It's here. Take it seriously because it can make you very sick."Ryley is proof of that."Can't believe it was just an itty bitty old bug," Ryley said. "It's crazy."Ryley is a self-employed painter and does not have health insurance. He still needs therapy to relearn motor skills and said he doesn't qualify for disability or other state assistance programs. The family has set up a GoFundMe page to help cover expenses.