West Nile Virus Death Reported in Orange County

Though summer is turning to fall, the cases of West Nile Virus continue to persist across Orange County. On Wednesday, Orange County health officials reported the area's first West Nile virus-related death of 2016.

A 60-year-old La Habra woman died of complications from a West Nile Virus infection according to the Orange County Health Care Agency. The agency did not identify the woman or provide the exact date of her death in their report.

"This unfortunate death shows how serious West Nile virus infection can be," said Dr. Eric Handler, the county's health officer. "It is important for people to remember that the end of summer does not mean the end of West Nile virus season."

There have been 29 symptomatic WNV infections reported in Orange County this year, and all but one of those patients was hospitalized according to the Health Department. Twenty-five had WNV Neuroinvasive disease and four had WNV fever. Doctors say the number of West Nile Virus cases is actually much higher than the reported figures.

"Because about 80 percent of people infected with WNV have no symptoms, and the majority of cases of West Nile fever do not seek medical care and are not tested, the reported case counts greatly underestimate the number of infected people in our county," according to an HCA statement.

Last year, Orange County logged 97 reported human infections of WNV and eight WNV-related deaths, while Los Angeles County recorded 300 human infections, including 24 fatalities.

Cases are generally reported between July and October or early November.

Who is At Risk of West Nile Virus?

The elderly and other people with weak immune systems are at highest risk of developing severe illnesses such as meningitis and encephalitis.

Symptoms may never materialize, but can include fever, headache, nausea, body aches, skin rashes and swollen lymph nodes.

Mosquitoes typically become carriers of the virus after feeding on an infected bird and can then spread the potentially lethal strain to animals and humans.

Limit Your Exposure to West Nile Virus:

• limit outdoor activity at dawn or dusk, when mosquitoes are generally on the move
• wear pants and long-sleeved shirts when outdoors
• use insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus or products containing IR3535
• ensure door and window screens are in good condition and fitted properly to keep bugs out
• get rid of standing water -- aside from pools properly treated with chemicals -- to reduce areas in which mosquitoes may breed, including flower pots and pet bowls.

Information on mosquito control is available on the Orange County Vector Control District's website at www.ocvcd.org

Updated information about WNV infections in Orange County can be found at www.ochealthinfo.com/westnilev... .

Shutterstock Photo, City News Service contributed to this report