Orange County Gets Its First Case of West Nile This Year

A Santa Ana man has tested positive for West Nile virus, the first case in the Orange County this year, officials said today.

The man -- whose name was not released -- was hospitalized in late June, but now is home recovering, Orange County Health Care Agency officials said.

There have been 10 reports of West Nile virus in the state so far this year. Last year, there were a dozen cases of the infection reported in Orange County, with no fatalities.

"West Nile Virus is endemic in Orange County, recurring every year during the summer months and continuing into the fall," said Dr. Eric G. Handler, a County Health Officer. "The best way to avoid West Nile Virus infection is to take precautionary measures to avoid mosquito bites."

Those measures include emptying all standing water on your property that can become breeding grounds for mosquitoes, maintaining secure windows and screens, using insect repellant, limiting outdoor activity at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active and wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants while outside.

Most people who get the infection do not feel symptoms, but about 20 percent can become feverish and feel headaches, body pain, nausea, fatigue and develop a skin rash.

More serious symptoms include, severe headaches, neck stiffness, confusion and muscle weakness or paralysis.

--City News Service