Health officials confirmed deaths among older adults and reported 36 infections this year.
Orange County health officials announced September 29 that the county’s first human deaths associated with West Nile virus this year had been confirmed among older adults.
The Health Care Agency did not specify the number of deaths in its announcement. It reported 36 infections countywide.
Officials cautioned that reported cases substantially underestimate infections because about 80% of infected people have no symptoms, and many people with milder illness are not tested.
People over 50 and those with underlying medical conditions face greater risk of serious complications.
Symptoms can include fever, headache, body aches and fatigue. Anyone experiencing severe headache, neck stiffness, confusion, muscle weakness or vision loss should seek medical care immediately, the agency said.
Residents should use EPA-registered insect repellent according to its label, wear long sleeves and pants outdoors, and limit exposure at dawn and dusk.
Officials also recommend emptying standing water around homes and repairing window and door screens.
County Health Officer Dr. Regina Chinsio-Kwong said West Nile activity continues into fall and described this year’s season as particularly intense.
Sources
OC Health Care Agency, September 29.
Illustrative mosquito photograph. Photo by Tonmoy Iftekhar on Unsplash.
