OC Woman Diagnosed With West Nile Virus

TUSTIN, CA — A woman in her 50s was confirmed to have been infected with the West Nile Virus fever, Orange County Health Care Agency reported on Monday. She is the first person this season to have been infected by the virus.

In 2018, the OC Health Care Agency reported 12 people infected with the virus and one person died from the virus.

“West Nile Virus is endemic in Orange County, recurring every year during the summer months and continuing into the fall,” said Dr. Nichole Quick, County Health Officer. “The best way to avoid West Nile Virus infection is to take precautionary measures to avoid mosquito bites.”

Thought the virus can cause serious symptoms, such as headaches, neck stiffness, confusion, muscle weakness or paralysis, others infected by the virus may never experience symptoms, Quick said.

"Only about 20-percent of those infected will show the severe symptoms," according to Quick.

Recommended WNV precautions include:

• Emptying all standing water on your property to reduce areas in which mosquitoes may breed, including flower pots and pet bowls.
• Making sure your window and door screens are in good condition.
• Using insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or products containing IR3535, always following label directions.
• Limiting outdoor activity at dawn and dusk, when mosquitoes are most active.
• Wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants when outdoors.

Information on mosquito control is available on the Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District’s website at www.ocvector.org. Other websites with helpful information about WNV include:

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: www.cdc.gov/dotw/westnilevirus
• State of California: www.westnile.ca.gov
• OC Health Care Agency: www.ochealthinfo.com/wnv