For Immediate Release
Thursday, July 29, 2004

Contact: Howard Sutter (714) 834-2178

West Nile Virus Added to List of Orange County Reportable Diseases

(Santa Ana) – Orange County Health Officer Mark B. Horton, M.D., has added West Nile Virus disease to the list of reportable diseases in Orange County.

The declaration, which is effective July 29, requires that West Nile Fever or West Nile Neuroinvasive Disease cases with supportive laboratory results be reported by health care providers to Orange County Epidemiology within one working day of identification. The full text of the declaration adding West Nile Virus disease to the list of reportable diseases is available on the Health Care Agency website at www.ochealthinfo.com/docs/public/epi/wnv/WNV-reportable.pdf.

“Adding West Nile Virus disease to the conditions for which reporting is mandated in Orange County will improve surveillance and raise awareness of West Nile Virus disease,” said Dr. Horton. Information on the reporting requirements will be sent immediately to Orange County hospitals. A subsequent mailing to Orange County physicians, infection control practitioners, community clinics, urgent care facilities and other health care providers will reemphasize the West Nile Virus disease reporting requirement.

The public is urged to continue taking precautions against mosquitoes that can transmit West Nile Virus. These recommended precautions include:

• Eliminating any standing water from your property to reduce mosquito breeding

• Using insect repellent containing DEET, always following label directions

• Making sure your window and door screens are in good condition

• Limiting outdoor activity at dawn and dusk, when mosquitoes are most active

• Wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants when outdoors, especially at dusk and dawn.

To date, more than 40 human cases of West Nile Virus infection have been confirmed in California, including one in Orange County, which was the State’s first death related to West Nile Virus. More information about West Nile Virus is available from the Health Care Agency’s Health Referral Line at 1-800-564-8448 or on the Health Care Agency’s Web site at www.ochealthinfo.com.

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