Buena Park Woman Had OC's First Case Of West Nile Virus: HCA

SANTA ANA, CA —The Orange County Health Care Agency (HCA) said Wednesday that a Buena Park woman became the county's first human to test positive for the West Nile Virus (WNV)earlier this month. The woman was hospitalized, and is now recuperating, the agency said.

The HCA did not reveal the woman's name, but said she suffered from neuroinvasive disease, which the World Health Organization (WHO) said can include symptoms like: headache, high fever, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness and paralysis.

The WHO said human infection of the WNV is most often the result of a person getting bitten by an infected mosquito, and that approximately one in 150 people infected with the WNV will develop a more severe form of disease. People who develop these symptoms should seek medical help immediately.

The HCA said most people who become infected with WNV do not experience symptoms, or experience mild symptoms like: headache, body aches, nausea, tiredness and sometimes a skin rash.

The HCA also pointed out that people over 50 years of age, and those with certain medical conditions, are at an increased risk of developing serious complications from WNV infections.

According to the HCA, there have been fewer WNV cases reported in 2021 than in previous years. In 2020, the HCA said there were 19 reported WNV infections and one WNV-related death in the county.

"West Nile Virus is endemic in Orange County, recurring every year during the summer months and continuing into the fall," said Dr. Matt Zahn, Orange County HCA's deputy county health officer. "The best way to avoid West Nile Virus infection is to take precautionary measures to avoid mosquito bites."

Among the precautionary measures recommended by the HCA are:

• Empty all standing water on your property to reduce areas in which mosquitoes may breed, including flowerpots and pet bowls.
• Make sure your window and door screens are in good condition.
• Use insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or products containing IR3535, and always following label directions.
• Limit outdoor activity at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active.
• Wear 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. Other websites with helpful information about WNV include:

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• State of California
• OC Health Care Agency