SJC Braces for West Nile Virus

San Juan Capistrano residents should brace themselves for the onset of West Nile Virus season in Orange County, city officials warned this week.

The year’s first evidence of West Nile Virus in Orange County was confirmed this week near the Los Alamitos Race Track, the same place that has tested positive for the mosquito-born illness in previous years. The Orange County Vector Control District also confirmed the presence of the disease in an American crow collected in Santa Ana.

There have been no cases reported this year in Orange County of humans infected with the virus, but the presence of the virus in the area should serve as reminder for residents to take precautions, warned the Orange County Public Health Department.

The virus is spread by mosquitoes to humans, birds and horses. Most people infected with the virus don’t experience any symptoms, according to the Center for Disease Control. Twenty percent of those infected will experience mild symptoms such as fever, headache and vomiting. And one in 150 people experience severe effects such as high fever, coma, paralysis or death.

This week, the first West Nile Virus human fatality was reported in the Sacramento area.

Residents are encouraged to take steps to reduce exposure to mosquito bites and to deprive them of a place to reproduce. Mosquitoes require standing water to develop.

The city’s recommendations to reduce the potential for mosquito bites include:

• Eliminating any standing water around your home. · 
  
• Avoid outdoor activity at dawn and dusk. · 
  
• Make sure all window and door screens on your house are in good repair.
  
• Wear a repellent containing DEET®, Picaridin, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus, or IR 3535. ·
  
• Contact the OC Vector Control District to report dead birds or neglected pools at 714-971-2421 or949-654-2421 or www.ocvcd.org