Orange County Man Dies Of West Nile Virus: OC Health Care Reports

GARDEN GROVE, CA — An elderly Garden Grove man has died of West Nile Virus complications, the OC Health Care Agency officials confirmed, Wednesday.

He is the first human to die of West Nile Virus in Orange County in 2020.

Orange County has had 5 symptomatic West Nile Virus infections reported this year, a spokesperson says.

"Two had West Nile Virus neuroinvasive disease and three had West Nile Virus fever," they reported. "Of these, four were hospitalized." Their ages and cities of residence were not released as of this report.

According to OC Health Care officials, about 80 percent of people infected with the West Nile Virus 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 Orange County.

Symptoms of West Nile fever include fever, headache, body aches and fatigue. Anyone who develops the more serious symptoms of West Nile neuroinvasive disease such as severe headaches, neck stiffness, confusion, muscle weakness or vision loss should seek medical care immediately. People over 50 years of age and those with underlying medical conditions are at increased risk of serious complications from West Nile virus infection.

It is especially important to take precautions against mosquito bites during West Nile virus season. Recommended precautions include:

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.