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County of Orange
Public Health Services |
Juliette A. Poulson, RN, MN Mark B. Horton, MD, MSPH Mailing Address: |
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For Immediate Release |
Contact: Mark Horton, M.D. |
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(Santa Ana) – Orange County health and vector control officials are using their experience with other mosquito-borne illnesses already present in California to help prepare for the expected arrival of West Nile Virus.“West Nile Virus (WNV) is similar to conditions like St. Louis encephalitis and Western Equine encephalitis, with which we have many years of experience,” said Mark Horton, M.D., Orange County Health Officer and Deputy Agency Director of the Orange County Health Care Agency. “WNV is another reason that we should all take a few simple precautions around our homes to reduce our chance of being bitten by mosquitoes.” People and animals, such as horses, contract West Nile Virus (WNV) from the bite of an infected mosquito. WNV is not transmitted from person-to-person or from animal-to-person. Most people infected with WNV have no symptoms or only mild ones like fever, headache and body aches, but the elderly and those with weakened immune systems face a higher risk from WNV. An extreme form of the infection, called West Nile encephalitis, has been responsible for more than 40 deaths in the United States this year. “The chance of contracting WNV infection is very small, so there is no reason to seek medical treatment or testing for a mosquito bite,” said Dr. Horton. “People with the severe form of WNV infection have symptoms like severe headache, high fever, muscle weakness, confusion, stiff neck and sensitivity to light. These can be symptoms of encephalitis and are cause for seeking immediate medical care.” Information for health care providers and others interested in learning more about West Nile Virus can be found on the Health Care Agency Web site at http://www.ochealthinfo.com/epi/wnv/. To help control mosquitoes, eliminate standing water from around your home and property. Eliminating mosquito-breeding areas also helps prevent the other mosquito-borne diseases that occur locally, such as Western Equine encephalitis and St. Louis encephalitis. To deter mosquitoes, use insect repellants containing DEET, always following label directions. When using insect repellants on children, the American Academy of Pediatrics has recommended a cautious approach using products with a low concentration of DEET, 10% or less, on children aged 2 - 12. Other ways to avoid mosquito bites include limiting outside activity at dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active, wearing long sleeved shirts and long pants when outside, and making sure that doors and windows have tight fitting screens. Mosquito control information is available from the Orange County Vector Control District at http://www.ocvcd.org or by calling (714) 971-2421. Birds, especially corvids like crows, ravens and jays, serve as a reservoir for the virus, so the discovery of dead birds in an area may be an indication that WNV is present. As part of their surveillance efforts, the Orange County Vector Control District is selectively testing crows, ravens, jays or magpies that may have been dead for less than 24 hours. To contact a Vector Control representative, call (714) 971-2421, extension 146. The State of California has also established a toll-free telephone number for the public to report birds that have been dead for less than 24 hours. That number is 1-877-WNV-BIRD. A WNV vaccine for horses, which has been conditionally licensed, is approved for sale in California. However, the efficacy of the vaccine is unknown. Horse owners are advised to consult their veterinarian when considering vaccination. A WNV fact sheet for horse owners can be found on the Orange County Animal Care Services Web site at http://www.ocpetinfo.com/nile.htm.
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