Orange County Reports First
Human West Nile Virus Infection of 2007
For Immediate Release:
July 27, 2007
Contact:
Deanne Thompson (714) 834-2178
(Santa Ana) - A 44-year-old South Orange
County man has tested positive for West Nile Virus (WNV)
infection, becoming the County’s first reported human WNV
infection in 2007.
The infection was identified through routine
screening tests performed when the man donated blood earlier
this month. Donated blood is routinely screened for WNV
infection to ensure the safety of the blood supply. The man may
have acquired the infection outside of Orange County. The Orange
County Health Care Agency received notification of the test
results on July 26.
“As the temperature rises during the summer
months, the risk of West Nile Virus infection also increases,”
says Dr. Eric G. Handler, County Health Officer. “The best way
to avoid West Nile Virus infection is to take precautionary
measures to avoid mosquito bites.”
Last year, 7 confirmed human West Nile Virus
infections were reported in Orange County while statewide, 292
human WNV infections were reported with 7 WNV-related deaths.
There were no fatalities in Orange County in 2006 as a result of
WNV.
Recommended WNV precautions include:
-
Emptying all standing water on your
property to reduce areas in which mosquitoes may breed
-
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
Most people who become infected with West Nile
Virus do not experience symptoms or become seriously ill. Up to
20% of those infected with West Nile Virus will experience
symptoms of West Nile fever, which may include fever, headache,
body aches, nausea, tiredness, and sometimes swollen lymph
glands or a skin rash. Anyone who develops more serious symptoms
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 certain medical
conditions are at increased risk of serious complications from
WNV infection.
Information on mosquito control is available
on the Orange County Vector Control District’s website at
www.ocvcd.org. Other websites
with helpful information about West Nile Virus include:
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