Elderly O.C. Woman Succumbs to West Nile Virus

A Seal Beach woman died from complications of West Nile virus, making her the county’s first fatality from the virus this year, health officials announced today.

The woman was in her 80s and died last week, but test results received this week confirmed she had the most severe form of infection, West Nile Neuroinvasive Disease, according to the county Health Care Agency.

“This unfortunate death shows how serious West Nile virus infection can be,” said Dr. Eric G. Handler, the county’s health officer. “West Nile virus activity tends to peak in August and September in Orange County, but we continue to have cases occur throughout the fall. It is important for people to remember that the end of summer does not mean the end of West Nile virus season.”

According to the state, there have been four other deaths from West Nile virus this year -- two in Stanislaus County and one each in Sacramento and Shasta counties.

Orange County officials said there have been 36 symptomatic West Nile patients in the county, and 30 of them were hospitalized.

Health officials said residents should take steps to prevent the spread of the disease. Those measures include emptying all standing water that can become breeding grounds for mosquitoes, maintaining secure windows and screens, using insect repellant, limiting outdoor activity at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active and wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants while outside.

Most people who get the infection do not feel symptoms, but about 20 percent can become feverish and feel headaches, body pain, nausea, fatigue and develop a skin rash.

More serious symptoms include, severe headaches, neck stiffness, confusion and muscle weakness or paralysis.

--City News Service

PHOTO Patch file photo.