For Immediate Release
February 23, 2006

Contact: Howard Sutter
 (714) 834-2178

West Nile Virus Activity Detected In Orange County

(Santa Ana) – The first evidence of West Nile Virus (WNV) activity in Orange County during 2006, a dead crow found in the Mission Viejo area, signals the return of the unpredictable virus to Southern California.

“The detection of WNV in birds at this time of the year is not unexpected, since the virus was also found in birds during early 2005,” said Dr. Hildy Meyers, Acting Health Officer. “Most human cases have occurred during the warmer months of the year. We can’t predict from year-to-year how widespread West Nile Virus infections will be, so we encourage all Orange County residents to begin taking precautions now as the days grow longer and people increase the time they spend outdoors.”

People can contract WNV when bitten by an infected mosquito, so preventing mosquito bites is the key to reducing your chance of infection. Recommended WNV precautions include:

• Eliminating any standing water from your property to reduce mosquito breeding
• Making sure your window and door screens are in good condition
• Using insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus, 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, especially at dusk and dawn.

After first being detected in Orange County during 2003, human illnesses due to West Nile Virus have been reported during 2004 and 2005. Last year, there were 17 confirmed WNV infections among Orange County residents. Statewide, 928 human cases and 18 deaths were attributed to WNV infection in 2005. More information about WNV is available on the Health Care Agency’s website at www.ochealthinfo.com.

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